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No. XXI.] [Price 2s. 6d. 
ANNALS OF NATURAL HISTORY: 
MAGAZINE 


ZOOLOGY, BOTANY, AND ‘GnoLocy. 


(BEING A CONTINUATION, OF THE $ MAGAZINE OF ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY,’ AND 
SIR W. 5 HOOKER’ s BOTANICAL COMPANION. Seats . 


Se Saal eae cer we me ‘CONDUCTED ee ee | : baat 
. Sin W. JARDINE, Barr.—P. rs SELBY, Bsa, es 
*9 ‘Dr. JOHNSTON, se 

Sir W. J. HOOKER, Reerus Proresson OF : Borany, ae 


AND- 


RICHARD TAYLOR, PLS. 
-)) 4) SEPTEMBER 1839. 


WITH A PLATE, 


Illustrative of J. E. Gray’s Paper on some New Cheiroptera of Cuba. 


LONDON: 


PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY R. AND J..E. TAYLOR. 


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THE LONDON AND EDINBURGH 
PHILOSOPHICAL MAGAZINE, and JOURNAL OF SCIENCE: 


CONDUCTED BY : 


SIR DAVID BREWSTER, F.R.S., RICHARD TAYLOR, F.L.S., 
AND RICHARD PHILLIPS, F.R.S. 


Contents of No. 95, for SEPTEMBER 1839. 


Q)* the Method of producing Copies of engraved Copper-plates by Voltaic Ac- 
tion; on the supply of mixed Gases for Drummond’s Light by Electro- 
_ lysis; on the Application of Electro-magnetism as a motive power in Navigation, 
and on Electro-magnetic currents. By Dr. M. H. Jacobi, in a letter to Mr. 
Faraday. He rs Aral . . 
On ee daca Solution of Algebraical Equations. By J. W. Lubbock, Esq., 
F.R.S. | . 
- Meteorological Observations during a Residence in Columbia between the years 
1820 and 1830. By Colonel Richard Wright. | . 3 
And full reports of the Instructions prepared by the President and Council of the 
Royal Society for the Scientific Expedition to the Antarctic Regions. With Pro- 
ceedings of Learned Societies, numerous Miscellaneous Articles, and Meteorolo- 
gical Observations and Table. cae ign 


CIENTIFIC MEMOIRS ; translated from Foreign Transactions 
and Journals. Edited by RICHARD TAYLOR, F.L.S. 


Part VI. with six Plates, price 6s. 


Containing Melloni on the Polarization of Heat.—Gauss’s General Theory of 
Terrestrial Magnetism.—Gauss on a new Instrument for observing the Intensity 
of Terrestrial Magnetism.—Weber on the use of the Bifilar Magnetometer.— 
Schleiden on Phytogenesis. . 

The Translations of the Memoirs on Terrestrial Magnetism have been made 
under the direction and revisal of Major Sabine, Professor Lloyd, and Sir J. F. W. 
Herschel, with a view to the main object of the Antarctic Expedition under Capt. 
J.C. Ross. : / 

The Subscribers who have not received Part V., which contains Memoirs by 
Jacobi, Gauss, Weber and Rose, are requested to apply for it to their Booksellers, 
or to R.and J. E. Taylor, Red Lion Court, Fleet Street. 


R. and J. E. Taylor, Red Lion Court, Fleet Street. 


Just Published, Second Edition, and considerably enlarged, with additional Illus- 
trations, price 4s., 


HE BEE-KEEPER’S MANUAL; or Practical Hints on the Ma- 
nagement and complete Preservation of the HONEY-BEE. 


By HENRY TAYLOR. 
London: R. Groombridge, Panyer Alley, Paternoster Row. 


ANNALS OF NATURAL HISTORY; 


OR, 


MAGAZINE 


OF 


ZOOLOGY, BOTANY, AND GEOLOGY, 


(BEING A CONTINUATION OF THE ‘MAGAZINE OF ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY,’ AND 
SIR W. J. HOOKER’S ‘BOTANICAL COMPANION.’) 


CONDUCTED BY 
Sir W. JARDINE, Bart.—P. J. SELBY, Esa., 
Dr. JOHNSTON, 
Sir W. J. HOOKER, Recius Prorsssor or Botany, 


AND 


RICHARD TAYLOR, F.L.S. 


LONDON: 
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY R. AND J. E. TAYLOR. 


SOLD BY S. HIGHLEY; SIMPKIN AND MARSHALL; SHERWOOD AND CO.: W. WOOD, 
TAVISTOCK STREET; BAILLIERE, REGENT STREET, AND PARIS‘ 
LIZARS, AND MACLACHLAN AND STEWART, EDINBURGH : 
CURRY, DUBLIN: AND ASHER, BERLIN, 


\1839)~ 1840. 


“‘Omnes res create sunt divine sapientize et potentie testes, divitie felicitatis 
humane: exharum usu bonitas Creatoris; ex pulchritudine sapientia Domini; ex 
ceconomia in conservatione, proportione, renovatione, potentia majestatis elucet. 
Earum itaque indagatio ab hominibus sibi relictis semper estimata; a vere eruditis 


et sapientibus semper exculta; male doctis et barbaris semper inimica fuit.”— 
LINN. 


’ 
iy 
2 


Ps 
; : 


+e 


CONTENTS OF VOL. IV. 


NUMBER XXI. 


Page. 
I. Descriptions of some Cheiroptera discovered in Cuba by W. S. 


MacLeay, Esq. By Joun Epwarp Gray, F.R.S. &c. With some account 
of their Habits, extracted from Mr. MacLeay’s Notes. (With a Plate.) 1 


II. Account of a Journey across the Pampas of Buenos Ayres to 


emnte TOG DAMS EWERDIE oon cs ic ss ne cau cas scasgarecerecsccce cavascees 8 
III. Observations on Zrilobites, founded on a comparison of their 
Structure with that of Crustacea. By W.S. MacLezay, M.A. ......... 16 


IY. Flore Insularum Nove Zelandiz Precursor; or a Specimen of 
the Botany of the Islands of New Zealand. By Atuan Cunnineuam, Esq. 22 
V. On the Habits of Macroscelides Rozeti. By Dr. MoritzWacner 26 
VI; Amaryllidearum Species Nove. By the Hon. and Rev. W. 
RRMMMIEE Cr se teanisssdtvecsny slansctede saves SkaibidvhabsaVeehestpbasaras areas eosinse 28 
VII. Descriptions of British Chalcidites. By Francis Watker, Esq. 29 
VIII. Instructions relative to Botany, Vegetable Physiology, and 
Zoology for the Scientific Expedition to the Antarctic Regions, prepared 
by the President and Council of the Royal Society ..........sssssseseesees 33 


New Books :—Supplement to the History of British Fishes, by W. 
Yarrell; Epicrisis Systematis Mycologici seu Synopsis Hymeno- 
mycetum, E. Fries; Linnea, ein Journal fiir die Botanik, &c.; 
Plantes Cryptogames de France, par J. Desmaziéres; Deustch- 
lands Kryptogamische Gift-Gewachse, von Dr. Phoebus; Fauna 
Coleopterorum Helvetica, by O. Heer; Dr. Pye Smith’s Congre- 
gational Lectures on Geolagy oii0i 5.5. cicecesedessccrve yarscas canes 42—46 


Meeting of the British Association ; Proceedings of the Zoological So- 
ciety ; Linnean Society .........06 phchat esuvhae GAisninde seen. dear. 46—69 


On the place of Scarabeus longimanus in the system, by Prof. Klug ; 
Identity of the Shannon with the Lough Neagh Coregonus; Pre- 
ventive against madness in Elephants, by Carl von Hiigel; Are 
the Closterie Animals or Plants? Meteorological Observations and 
So ERASE POERACU DUS CT YIS FILS E ote SOR BRE Pe OW Oa Sav hdnsceeebbasts vaste 69-—72 


NUMBER XXII. 
IX. On the Discoid Piths of Plants. By Cu. Morren, Professor of 


Botany in the University of Liége. (With a Plate.) .......ssseessseceres 73 
X. Zoological Notices. By Dr. A. Puriippi :— 
I. On two new species of Luplocamus ...cecreresescecerenererees 88 


« II. On the Animal of Pileopsis Garnoti, Payr.  ..c...sesereeee $0 


iv CONTENTS. 


‘ III. On the Animal of Galeomma ..... seeseercones desceadenneas OB 
IV. On the Oculina ramea of Ehrenberg .......ssccescesereeeeee 93 
V. On the Chelura terebrans, a new Amphipod Genus ...... 94 
XI. Account of a Journey across the Pampas of Buenos Ayres to 
Tucuman. By James TwEeEpie, Esq. .....scccccccserescscees eeeccccsecceee 96 
XAI. Route from Lima by the Quebrada of San tines: By J. Mac 
Litany; faq. OF Limi) .icccassevenasswevyansesean? reggapane sekveavdeksees kavcecaus 105 


XIII. Flore Insularum Nove Zelandiz Precursor; or a Specimen 
of the Botany of the Islands of New Zealand. By Atitan Cunnine- 


New Books :—Principles of General and Comparative Physiology, by 
William B. Carpenter ; Memoirs of the Wernerian Natural History 
Society, vol. viii. Part I.; Scandinaviens Fiskar malade of W. v. 
Wright, med text of B. Fries och C. U. Eckstrém; Verzeichniss 
der Conchylien in der Sammlung von E. Anton........0+s+008 111—117 


Proceedings of the Zoological Society ; British Association for the Ad- 
vancement of Science; Botanical Society of London; Wernerian 
Natural History Society .........esess eovcereceoess ie taleeneay .. 118—139 


Notice of an uncommonly tame Pine Marten, by St. von Siemuszova-. 
Pietruski; Clangula Barrovii, a native of Iceland; On the Moult- 
ing Process of the Cray Fish; Meteorological Observations and 
SOUS. cunsnsscitsnecs tne va'on sae anbasudesnnenens shineatn gama soecsseeeLG9—144 


NUMBER XXIII. 
XIV. Description of Animal Life in Nova Zembla. By K. E. von 


Baek -aiwiwiia. psbgib dives blsinss bed besehive oa sadvioweeve ies asetidvwdbat ca seney LEO 
XV. On the Fructification of Lycoperdon, Phallus, and their allied 
Genera. By the Rev. M. J. Berxeney, M.A., F.L.S. (With a Plate.) 155 
XVI. Hore Zoologice. No. I. On the History and Habits of Cro- 
tophaga:’ By Sir Wi Takpinn, Bart. oacesccassacsasvavsesvenscestaveeneles 160 ~ 
XVII. Account of a Journey across the Pampas of Buenos Ayres 
toTucuman. By James Twaapin, Esq. .....e.csecees pleuevivesssgcsetesder 202 
XVIII. Onthe Laurus Cassia of Linnzus, and the Plants producing 
the Cassia Bark of Commerce. By Rozert Wicut, M.D. ........00.. 179 
XIX. On the Discovery of Fossil Teeth of a Leopard, Bear, and 
other Animals in a Crag Pit at Newbourn in Suffolk. By Cuaruzs 
Lyret, Esq., F.R.S., V.P.G.S., &c. 2... svewedabesaaa Licismaiars pidatesre ses 186 
XX. On the occurrence of Fossil Quadrumanous, Marsupial, and 
other Mammalia in the London Clay, near Woodbridge in Suffolk. By 
Caantes Lrexz, Eoq., F.R.S., V-PIG-Si Ge. escsts sacs eeceuslagaciccss suse 189 
XXI. Description of the Mammalian Remains found at Kyson in 
Suffolk, mentioned in the preceding Notice. By Ricnarp Owen, Esq., 
F.R.S., &e. o.0.6 sas eseeees ov edvbe casks ya saseuk sae'eeGeseee paaabeseneveqsnigncasaces 191 
XXXII. Information respecting Botanical Travellers: :—Mr. Schom- 
burgk’s Narrative of his recent Expedition in Guiana...........csseeenes 194 


CONTENTS. v 


New Books :—Pracht-Flora Europaeischer Schimmelbildungen, by A. 
C. J. Corda; History of British Sponges and Corallines, by Dr. 
Johnston; Corpus Florarum Provincialium Suecize.—I, Floram 
Scanicam scripsit E. Fries ....... ovscesececesess penceccteasparcesce 200, 201 


Proceedings of the Zoological Society; Botanical Society of Lon- 
don SCCOSHH EEO HEHEHE EEE EEEEeEHETEEES @verse OCOteeeeeeeseeseseeseeesees eee 202—213 


Birds collected in Asia Minor by Mr. Fellows; on the genera Zgilops 
and Zvriticum, and their modifications ; on the Animal Nature of 
the Oseillatoria ; new species of Frog found in Amber; Meteoro- 
logical Observations and Table ........+.6 eecdboovvedees sapeses 213—216 


NUMBER XXIV. 
XXIII. On a Shell-bank in the Irish Sea, considered Zoologically 
and Geologically. By Epwarp Forszs, Esq. ........004 decdvebsadestovaie 217 
XXIV. Miscellanea Zoologica. By Grorcz Jounston, M.D., Fel- 


low of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. (With Plate VI.) 224 
XXV. Descriptions of British Chalcidites. By Francis Waker, 


Bhids iscnsidavecsccas Pav sap asadysiy neds yncbadensoa¥aseacsonmseshideacens)s tnenenies 232 
XXVI. Hints on the Anatomico-Physiological Differences in the 
Organization of Stems. By Dr. M. J. Scuuripen...... sediing ysenspseneas 236 


XXVII. On the Mycology of the neighbourhood of Bristol. By 


Mr. Henry OXLEY STEPHENS  ..cccscccecccccecececes Ee Reve hacadesesnerian € 246 
XXVIII. On the Arctium Lappa and Bardana of Sir J. E, Smith. 
By Cuartes C, Basineton, M.A., F.L.S., F.G.S., &. wc. cceceesseeees 253 


XXIX. Flore Insularum Nove Zelandiz Precursor; or a Speci- 
men of the Botany of the Islands of New Zealand. By Anuan Cun- 
HINGHAM, -Ei9q,,.pcsoceosssccacovensosees Mv eNOS Sigs debi gs aN i chheadbbibeewanedees « 256 

XXX. Information respecting Botanical Travellers :—Mr. Schom- 
burgk’s Narrative of his recent Expedition in Guiana ......... Soaesedaw 262 
New Books :—Nouveau Recueil de Planches Coloriées d’Oiseaux, pour 

servir de suite et de Complément aux Planches Enluminées de 
Buffon, par C. J. Temminck et Meiffren Laugier Baron de 
Chartrouse; Flora Lipsiensis Excursoria, Auctore G. L. Peter- 


mann- eeusees eeeeeseee PPO OC CR oor OTe EEeEEE® PS COO REESE Eee eee eeeeseese 266—268 
Proceedings of the Botanical Society of London ; Zoological Society ; 
EAGAN BOCREY: oon vig sis puases ap exevossececed occardeces wien Saumukach 270—282 


Dr. Westendorp and Mr. W. H. White; Mr. Gulliver on Blood Cor- 
puscles in the Mammalia; Notes on Irish Birds, by W. Thomp- 
son, Esq.; Ehrenberg on the remarkable diffusion of Coralline 
Animalcules from the use of Chalk for ordinary purposes; Note 
on Peloria, by Mr. A. White; Meteorological Observations and 
RODEO cle viontaasares Nuvenesevdoreny oe pd BE CTAD ONS Ls Gletind « 64 sGSsinasn'smes 283—288 


- NUMBER XXV. 


XXXI. On Allium Porrum and A. Ampeloprasum. By Cuarues 
C. Basineton, M.A., F.L.S., F.G.S., 820.  sesscsecssevees Sasiesacseunsipine SOO 


vi CONTENTS. 


XXXII. Notice of some Fungi collected by C. Darwin, Esq. during 
the Expedition of H. M. Ship Beagle. By the Rev. M. J. Berxerey, 


M.A., F.L.S. . (With Plates.) .........c000 dhsscunyVeabudeaias based spowastea 291 

*‘ XXXIII. Zoological Notices. By Dr. A. Pururrrr ........00.ccc000e 294 
XXXIV. Notes on Dr. Philippi’s Zoological Notices in the Net 

ding Article. By J.-E. Gray, Esq. ....cssscccosseseecees Siespacasoncensoneee 305 


XXXV. Notices of Botanical Excursions in the neighdiesiened of 
Trieste. By Epwarp Forses, M.W.S., For. Sec. B.S., &c. .....000e.. 907 

XXXVI. On the Habits of the Apteryx Australis, a Bird of New 
Zealand, closely allied to the Struthionide, and named by the native 


Inhabitants Kiwi, By the laté Annan Cunnincnam, Esq. .......0. .. 812 
XXXVII. Characters of Four New Cape Orchidaceae. By Professor 

LAN DLEY BAG urea calon saved ke bee hash ao Cees ats voeveusParssbesdolesseeeces 314 
XXXVIII. On the Occurrence of Squalus spinosus, Linn., on the 

Coast of Yorkshire. By Arruur SrrickLANnD, Esq. ...sccsccseceeeeceens 315 
XXXIX. Hore Zoologice. By Sir Witt1am Jarpine, Bart. ...... 318 
XL. Information respecting Botanical Travellers:—Mr. Schom- 

burgk’s Narrative of his recent Expedition in Guiana ...........ceceeseees 322 


New Books :—Histoire Naturelle des Poissons d’eau douce de l’Europe 
Centrale, par Ls. Agassiz; Natural History and Illustrations of 
the British Salmonidz, by Sir W. Jardine, Bart. ; On the Growth 
of the Salmon in Freshwater, by W. Yarrell, F.L.S., V.P.Z.S. ; 
Narrative of an Expedition into Southern Africa during the years 
1836 and 1837, by Capt. W. C. Harris; Deutschlands Lebermoose 
in getrockneten Exemplaren, Herausgegeben von Dr. J. W. P. 
Hiibener und C. F. Genth; A. Bertolonii Flora Italica, sistens 
Plantas in Italia et in Insulis circumstantibus sponte nascentes ; 
Verzeichniss der in Jahre 1832 im dstlichen Theile der Altai-ge- 
birges gesammelten Pflanzen. Ein Supplement zur Flora Altaica, 
von Al. v. Bunge; Fungorum et Byssorum Illustrationes, &c., by 
F. Fulg. Chevallier; Linnz; British Coleoptera delineated, by 
W. Spry, M.E.S., edited by W. Shuckard, Lib. R.S........... 329—339 


Proceedings of the Linnzan Society; Zoological Society; Royal So- 
ciety of Edinburgh ; Botanical Society of Edinburgh ; Royal Phy- 
sical Society of Edinburgh? ...000:i-svsesssecpvecnaventsdceesiacts 339—355 


On different Tissues, the work of Insects; Structure of the Ovule in 
the Ericee; Colour of Salt Marshes; Faleo Eleonore ; Deserip- 
tion of a new species of Meliphaga, by M. Dumas; Flannel formed 
of Infusoria and Conferve ; Meteorological Observations and 
Table scescogoessennpancnguetauuens odes avai sasais p4unbetemarrala 356—360 


NUMBER XXVI. 


 XLIL. On the Structure of the Sete of Funaria hy ygrometrica. By 


Enwin Lankestaen, BD: oid: isecsoicddacvasoxuns hapsdsecsadenneosinawkale 361 
XLII. On the Tentacular Classification of y Bp sik By Joun 


Hoge, Esq., MLA,, FRG God, Be. So aiiscasseceswass eebseoesses , 364 


CONTENTS. Vil 


XLIII. Miscellanea Zoologica. By Gzorcre Jounston, M.D., Fel- 
low of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. With Plates X. 
ME Es a saninadenuespsnvevsinas Seacsscccscceverncecs Cedecsecsesees dae duspaces vevee 368 
XLIV. Note onthe Occurrence at various times of the Bottle-nosed 
Whale (Hyperoodon Buizkopf, Lacep.) on the coast of Ireland; and 
on its nearly simultaneous appearance on different parts of the British 
coast in the autumn of 1839. By Wittram Tuompson, Vice-President 


of the Natural History Society of Belfast .......ssssscceesseseeeseeseeneseers 375 
XLV. New Orchidacee. By Professor LinpLEey Usdeltawied ski cannes. 381 
XLVI. Note on the Annelida. By W.S. MacLeay, M.A., F.L.S. 

Bi nsec dicck pede vhibaen’ Mees avchueneestn pith sud dipebkagh écbuslnc $s ckecadaduebes vee 380 


' XLVII. Notes on the Excitability and Movement of the Leaves in 
the Species of Oxalis. By Professor J. De Brienoxi pe Brunuorr of 
Modena, and Prof. Mornen of Liége ......... dcihan ie kausanduead tess Ssoven: see 


XLVIII. An attempt to ascertain the Fauna of Shropshire and North 
emt NLR. OL REYWOM, EG, SLL. pivainessevcanceucees cacenspvessthesass 396 


XLIX. On the production of Isinglass from Indian Fishes. By Dr. 
Cantor, Corresponding Member of the Zoological Society.........s+0+ 399 

L. On Isinglass in Polynemus sele, Buch., a species which is very 
common in the Estuaries of the Ganges. . By J. McCietuanp, Esq.... 401 

LI. A Supplement to the Synopsis of the Fishes of Madeira in the 
Second Volume of the Transactions of the Zoological Society. By the : 
Rev. R. T. Lowe ...... donbendssdemsWasredsvoecstvesccenccestavesetacvenss vesoee 405 


LII. Information respecting Botanical Travellers :— 
Mr. Griffith’s Journal of the Mission to Bootan.........+++4+ 424 
Mr. Schomburgk’s Expedition in Guiana ........seseeeeeees .. 429 


NUMBER XXVII. SUPPLEMENT. 


Information respecting Botanical Travellers:—Mr. Schomburgk’s 
Expedition in Guiana [Continued.] ......0.+0+. enon coneaived Sauna ends obs 433 


New Books :—Etudes de Micromammalogie. Revue des Musaraignes, 
des Rats et des Campagnols, suivie d’un Index méthodique des 
Mammiféres d’Europe. Par Edm. De Selys-Longchamp.......... 434 
Proceedings of the Zoological Society ; Geological Society ; Tweedside 
Physical and Antiquarian Society; Physical Society of Edin- 
WHERE ois ictes awdbcecies BARE CORGs Fea sasnvicuvdvabuctsvaitescaya peste 442—461 
Movement of the Style of Goldfussia anisophylia ; Echinospermum lap- 
pula; Guiana Expedition; Grew ‘“ On the Principles of Bodies ;”’ 
Notes on the Birth of the Giraffe; Meteorological Observations 
WEE ROUND kencr ashe cli cadacdacvshcedessenecsss os) bectetuescestesie snes 462—466 


PLATES IN VOL. IV. 


Prate I. Cheiroptera of Cuba. 
II. Discoid Pith of Plants. 
III. Species of Euplocamus and Chelura :—Animals of Pileopsis and 
Galeomma. 
IV. Species of Pandorina, Astarte, Hersilia, and Peltidium :—Ani- 
mal of Pleurostoma, and Eggs of Vermetus, 


V. Fructification of Fungi. 
Sing \ British Nereides. 
VIII. Sporidesmium adscendens; and Stilbum lateritium. 
IX. Dedalea erubescens, 


of } British ticles: 


ERRATUM IN VOL, I. 


Art. XX1I., On a new species of Epilobium, should have been described as a Translation of a 
Memoir by Dr. Westendorp; seep. 283-of the present Volume. 


ANNALS OF NATURAL HISTORY. 


_- 


I.—Descriptions of some Mammalia discovered in Cuba by 
W.S. MacLeay, Esq. By Jonn Epwarp Gray, F.R.S., 
&e. With some account of their Habits, extracted from Mr. 
MacLeay’s Notes. 


THE small collection of Mammalia made by Mr. MacLeay 
during his stay in Cuba consisted of the following species of 
Cheiroptera, and a foetal specimen of a Dolphin (Delphinus), 
which I have not been able to determine on account of its 
youth. 

The bats, besides adding to our knowledge, are very inter- 
esting forms, and several hitherto unrecorded species are par- 
ticularly interesting, as enabling me to locate with certainty, 
according to my present views, the genus Mormoops of Dr. 
_ Leach, of which only a single dried specimen was before 
known, and which had always been placed among the anoma- 
lous genera of this interesting family. It is curious, as regards 
the geographical distribution of these animals, which have 
usually been considered very local, that out of this small col- 
lection of eight species five should prove to be new to science 
and one of them an entirely new form, and that the other 
three should be common to Cuba and Jamaica. 


VESPERTILIONIDA, Gray. 
Tribe Phyllostomina, Gray. 

Arctibeus falcatus, Gray. Edge of the lips crenulated, in- 
ner part of the sides near the angle ciliated, front of the lower 
lip with a small central tubercle surrounded by a lunate series 
of six distant small warts. Nose-leaf broad ovate lanceolate, 
expanded, with a very large elevated laminar crumpled pro- 
jected edge on the sides. Tragus thick and convex inter- 
nally at the end, with three or four distinct notches on the 
outer side of the ears. Fur (in spirits) grey-brown, with dark 

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.4. No. 21. Sept. 1839. B 


ed 


IK 


2 Mr. J. E. Gray on some new Bats collected 


tips to the hairs, paler beneath. The wings large, blackish ; 
the index-finger falcately curved, with the membrane between 
it and the middle finger smooth, nenty. transparent. Gland 
of the penis granular. . 

The form of the index-finger at once distinguishes this 
species from all the others of the genus. 

Hab. Cuba, “ Killed in my bed-room.”—MacLeay. 

Arctibeus Jamaicensis, Leach, Linn. Trans. xii. Phyllo- 
stoma jamaicense, Horsfield, Zool. Journ. vii. 238. Edge 
of the lips crenulated, the inner edge with a series of brown 
membranaceous processes. Nose-leaf ovate lanceolate, acu- 
minated, with a broad convex central midrib, edge folded 
back, and rather compressed at the tip; cheek at the sides of 
the nose-leaf large, convex, swollen, subtubercular; front of 
the lower lip triangular, with a central rather large, and two 
smaller lateral tubercles, surrounded with a series of close 
oblong warts. Tragus thickened at the top, crenulated exter- 
nally, with three or four distinct notches at the outer side of 
the base. The index-finger straight. 

Hab. Cuba. “ Devours oranges on the trees and leaves the 
skins almost empty; it also comes into bed-rooms at night in 
search of mosquitoes.”—MacLeay. 

Brachyphylla cavernarum, Gray. Vespertilio cavernarum. 
Guilding, MS. Plate I. fig. 1. 

Hab. West Indies. St. Vincents, Cuba. 

I cannot observe the slightest difference between the 
Cuban specimen and that which I described from St. Vin- 
cents (1837), from the collection of Mr. Guilding, except that 
the Cuban one is smaller, and probably not an adult speci- 
men, which view is somewhat favoured by the finger-bones 
being rather shorter comparatively with the armbone. In 
the Cuban specimen there are several round glands on the 
chin, and a very distinct convex isolated gland on the side of 
the face a little behind the angle of the mouth. 


St. Vincents. Cuban. 
Length of body and head ...... 38 24 
of sembone. 655005 Ae eae 24. 


of shin bone 3201: '. ‘%e.5@0 1547 ++ 


in Cuba by W.S. MacLeay. 3 


Tribe Noetilionina. 

* Tail short, tip free on the upper side of the truncated in- 

terfemoral membrane. 

Mormooprs, Leach, not F. Cuvier. Nose obliquely trun- 
cated, warty ; lower lip expanded, membranaceous, sinuous, 
with a square warty plate in front ; ears large, united over the 
forehead, with the lower edge produced and united to the 
membranes on the lower lip. Tragus distinct. © 

Dr. Leach, who first described this genus, characterizes it 
as haying “a single nose-leaf confluent with the ears,” and 
all subsequent writers, misled by his description, have placed 
it with the leaf-nosed bats. In my new arrangement I placed 
it at the end of the Phyllostomina, with a mark of doubt before 
it.. The specimert under examination shows that it has no 
true nose-leaf, but that it is much more closely allied to the 
Taphozoi among the Noctilionina. This and the new Cuban 
genus Chilonycteris, which agrees with it in many particulars, 
will together form a new section in that group, characterized 
by the expansion of the lower lip and the convex and rounded 
form of the skull. foci’ 

Mormoops Blainvillii, Leach, Linn. Trans., xiii. p. 77. t. 7. 

The Cuban specimen agrees well with Dr. Leach’s short 
description and the detailed figure of the head of the specimen 
which was formerly in Mr. Brookes’s museum, and. which he 
received from (Mr. Lewis) Jamaica: the only difference that I 
can see between them is that the two appendages in front of 
the disk in the centre of the chin are rather larger in the figure 
than in our specimen, and the hinder fold of the hinder mem- 
branes in front of the chin is represented as entire instead 
of being divided; but these I am inclined to regard as most 
probably errors of the artist, arising from Dr. Leach’s speci- 
men being dry, while ours is preserved in spirits. | 

As Dr. Leach’s description was very short I shall now pro- 
ceed to give a more detailed account of this curious and very 
interesting animal. The head is nearly globular, with a rather 
produced muzzle. The nose is rounded above, with three 
warts on each side, and obliquely truncated below, with a lon- 
gitudinal central rib and a dentated transverse rib between the 
margin and nostrils. The upper lip is flat, expanded, with 

B 2 


4 Mr. J. E. Gray on some new Bats collected 


some acute prominences on its inner, and a series of rounded 
tubercles on its outer edge ; the hinder tubercles are much the 
largest. The lower lip is expanded, rather membranaceous, 
variously folded and twisted, forming a complicated appear- 
ance on the sides of the chin. There is a small smooth trian- 
gular disk above, immediately in front of the lower cutting 
teeth ; and directly in front of this is placed a rather large 
four-sided expanded plate or disk, which has a quantity of 
small close warts on its upper face, and two small diverging 
appendages in the middle of its front edge. The front and 
hinder edges of this plate are scalloped out. 

The ears are membranaceous, very large, broad, united over 
the upper part of the nose, and dependent over the face, with 
a slight notch on the upper part of the frént edge; the lower 
side is expanded, with a rounded lobe in front, and is conti- 
nued into the folded lower lip. The tragus is lunate, with a 
slight notch on the thickened front edge, and has a large ap- 
pendage on the outer side of its upper part. ‘The anti-tragus 
is large and tubercular. The eyes are small, far back, near the 
conche of the ears, and have a large wart before and behind 
them. 

The wings are long, rather wide, hairy beneath near the 
sides, with rather wide marginal membranes inclosing the first 
joint of the thumb. The interfemoral membrane is very large, 
truncate at the tip, and furnished with many transverse and 
five diverging lines from the tail. The tail is elongate, and 
the last joint is elongated, tapering, and free in the upper 
side of the interfemoral membrane. The legs are elongate, 
slender; the ankle short, tapering; toes nearly equal, com- 
pressed, and the heel bone very long and marginal. 

Hab. Cuba. “ Killed in my bed-room.” MacLeay. 

CuiLonyctTeris, Gray. Lipped Bat. Head conical, fore- 
head high, convex; nose obliquely truncated, smooth, with a 
keeled toothed upper edge; nostrils anterior, inferior ; lower 
lip large, dilated, hairy, with a broad reflexed membranaceous 
edge, furnished with a group of regular granular warts on the 
middle of its upper surface, and with a similar smooth mem- 
branaceous ridge behind it on the chin ; ears large, separate, — 
lateral, elongate, acute, with two folds on the front edge, and 


in Cuba by W.S. MacLeay. 5 


a large notch on the centre of the outer edge, expanded, mem- 
branaceous, and produced to the hinder part of the crest on 
the edge of the lower lip. Tragus distinct, large, with an ap- 
pendage on the outer side of its tip; eyes small, far back. 
Wings elongate, narrow, their index-finger of one bony joint; 
interfemoral membrane very large, elongate, slightly truncated. 
Heel bones very large, thumb compressed ; tail elongate, su- 
perior, half as long as the interfemoral membrane, with the 
last joint free on its upper edge. Hind feet rather small ; 
ankle elongate, subcylindrical ; toes nearly equal, compressed. 

Essential Characters. Nose obliquely truncated, appen- 
daged ; lower lip rounded, with two transverse reflexed mem- 
branaceous ridges; ears lateral, separate, with the lower 
outer edge expanded and continued to the hinder edge of the 
expansions on the lower lip. Tragus distinct. 

This genus is highly interesting from its being intermediate 
between the Saccopteri and the genus Mormoops of Dr. Leach. 

Chilonycteris MacLeayii, Gray. Fur mouse-colour, (in spi- 
rits) with greenish tips to the hairs, rather paler beneath ; 
lower lip, with a triangular central wart and a group of small 
close warts on the centre of the lower lip plate; edge of 
the nose with two tooth-like expansions on each side, one 
over each nostril, and the other, which is rather larger, on the 
outer side of the first; chin with three longitudinal ridges 
and a conical wart on each side extending to the hinder edge 
of the lower chin membrane; wings chestnut-brown, nearly 
bald, the under sides of the interfemoral membrane with a few 
scattered hairs. Length 12, expanse 9". Fore arm 1}; tail 2. 
Plate I. fig. 2. 

Hab. Cuba. “ Found in my bed-room; congregates in im- 
mense numbers in the eaves of houses and in holes in walls.” 
MacLeay. : 


Nyctinomus macrotis, Gray. Ears very large, united in a 
common tubercle on the forehead, rather hairy in front ; lips 
very large, pendulous ; muzzle bald, with a central longitudinal 
and a transverse marginal ridge of close-set short rigid hairs ; 
- upper lip with an oblong tuft of black hairs under the nose ; 


6 Mr. J. E. Gray on some new Bats collected 


tail cylindrical, elongate, rather more than half free; feet 
with a small round hinder pad. The pads of the great and 
jittle toes rather large, covered with white hairs, which are 
curved and rather dilated at the tip. Tragus rather large, 
truncated, with two or three small lobes on the edge ; lobule 
large, rather obliquely truncated at the tip, and with a slight 
notch in front of the lower edge. Plate I. fig. 3. 

Hab. Cuba. “ Sent up from the interior of the island, . 
where it was found in the hollow of atree.” MacLeay. 

The head and nose of this species are very like the N. pili- 
catus of India, but the lips and ears are much larger in pro- 
portion, and the lobule of that species is higher, rounded 
above, and without any notch at the base of the front edge. 
Like that species, the thumb has a large circular callous pad 
at its base, which agrees with Spix’s character of his genus 
Thyroptera, and induces me to believe that his genus will 
only prove to be a synonym of Nyctinomus. 

The species of Nyctinomus at present known may be thus 
divided :— 

A. Ears united at the base in front on a common tubercle. 
Lobule high, rounded, without any notch at the front of 
the base; ears large ; tragus distinct. WN. plicatus. 
Lobule elongate, truncate above, with a notch at the front 
of the base ; ears very large; tragus very small. N. ma- 
crotis. 

B. Ears close but separate at the front of the base. 

Lobule semi-ovate, not notched in front; tragus subqua- 
drate, rather large. WN. nasutus. 

Molossus tropidorhynchus, Gray, Mol. velox, Horsf. Zool. 
Journ. vii. 237. Upper lip with a roundish tuft of close 
slender hooked hairs under the nostrils ; muzzle angular with 
a central longitudinal and a transverse slightly crenated keel ; 
throat pouch large; tail rather slender, tapering, more than 
half inclosed in the membrane. 

Hab. Cuba. “ Very common in the city of Havana.” Mac 
Leay. tg | 

This species is very like Dysopes velox, but is smaller, and 
differs in having only a single central ridge between the nos- 
trils, which is forked and sends a transverse ridge over each, 


Amn. Nat. Hist. Vo W. £07. 


thionyl Maclay 


Niectinomis macrotis 
1 Pastire, ltt. 


Cheirotera of Ciba. 


Saath 
i ae 


ie 


a 
aE 


¢ 


ou 


in Cuba by W. 8S. Macleay. 7 


while in that species two oblique ridges continue separate 
nearly to the base. 

It is not easy to distinguish the none as described by 
M. Temminck, for his figures and descriptions appear to have 
been mostly taken from stuffed and dried specimens, in which 
state the peculiarities of the face and ears, which are often the 
most characteristic parts of the species, are frequently de- 
stroyed. The species of this genus that are in the British 
Museum may be thus divided. 


** Gland on the throat very large and distinct. 


a. The lobule of the ear semi-ovate with a large base ; ears 
large, forehead rounded. 


Mol. rufus. Chestnut with whitish tips to the hairs; nose 
with a crenulated ridge over, and a broad flat bristly space 
between, the nostrils ; tail thick, half free. 


b. The lobule of the ears round, compressed, with a contracted 
base ; forehead keeled. 

Mol. velox. Chestnut, nose with a diverging ridge from the 
centre of the space between the nostrils; tail thick. 

Mol. tropidorhynchus. Chestnut, nose with a longitudinal 
central ridge, and then a nearly straight crenulated cross ridge 
over the nostrils; tail tapering, thin. 

** Gland on the throat very small, rudimentary. 

Mol. fuliginosus. Black, tail elongate, slender, tapering ; 
nose with a diverging ridge from the centre of the space be- 
tween the nostrils; lobule round, compressed, contracted at 
the base ; forehead keeled. 

Mol. Norfolkensis. Grey-black, beneath grey; tail elon- 
gate, tapering ; nose without any ridge; lobule small, round, 
not contracted at the base, ears acute; forehead not keeled ? 


Tribe Vespertilionina. 

Scotophilus Cubensis. Fur blackish-brown (in spirits) ; 
wings dark, blackish; underside of the interfemoral membrane 
whitish, with scattered hairs ; feet large; heel bone short, ta- 
pering ; ears moderate, entire ; tragus ovate-lanceolate. Body 
and head 22; tail 12; fore arm 13. 

Hab. Cuba. 


8 Account of a Journey across the 


Il.—Extracts from a few rough Notes of a Journey across the 
Pampas of Buenos Ayres to Tucuman, in 1835. By Mr. 
JAMES TWEEDIE, addressed to Sir W. J. Hooker. 


In reply to the inquiry contained in your last letter, as to 
whether I kept a journal of my late excursion to the interior, 
of which, if such be the case, you desire a copy, I beg to state 
that it is certainly my custom to take a few notes of whatever 
may particularly strike me as singular and worthy of remark, 
but that I am far from pretending to describe in a minute or 
scientific manner ; although 

In wilds unknown I love to stroll, 

Where virgin plants their flowers unfold, 


Where unknown warblers tune their song, 
And unnamed rivers glide along. 


Of my journey to the Andes of Tucuman, I now therefore 
send you a few notes, which had been hastily written while 
crossing the Pampas. My object in troubling you with them 
is merely to show the causes of that poverty in my botanical 
collections of which you complain. 

On the 2nd of March our Tropa left Buenos Ayres: it con- 
sisted of seventeen waggons, each of which, together with its 
cargo, was computed to weigh about three tons, and was drawn 
by six bullocks. The body of the waggon is built of sticks and 
straw, and is arched over the top where it is covered with raw 
hides: the length is about 15 feet, the breadth 5, and the 
height 64 feet inside. Each wheel has a diameter of 8 feet. 
Thus when these unwieldy, uncouth-looking vehicles are set 
in motion, you might imagine that a village of Indian huts or 
toldas had suddenly taken a mind to walk, and the whole ap- 
pearance is as curious as can well be imagined. 

The tropa, on this occasion, consisted, besides the waggons, 
of 240 cattle, 44 horses, 35 mules, and 32 persons, including 
passengers. Well knowing by experience the lagging mode 
of travelling that prevails in this country, I allowed the party 
to have four days’ start of me, and came up with them at the 
village of Morros, about five leagues distant from Buenos 
Ayres. Thus my future companions had performed rather 
more than a league per day. At the moment when I arrived 


Pampas of Buenos Ayres to Tucuman. 9 


the tropa was preparing to cross an Arroy, where meeting two 
other tropas on their way to Buenos Ayres, we made a very 
grand appearance from the union of such a large number of 
cattle, &c., and six hours of time were lost before we again re- 
sumed our road. Morros is a small straggling village with a 
population of from 400 to 500 persons, and a respectable look- 
ing little church: excellent wheat, maize, and pumpions are 
raised in this neighbourhood, these being the chief articles of 
produce to which the farmer directs his attention. 

While passing the Arroy I spent some of the leisure time 
which was thus afforded me in examining its marshy sides, 
in search of any new or rare plants, and my disappointment in 
this first attempt proved but too true an omen of the slender 
share of success which attended my journey. The tropa had 
hardly resumed its march on a good road, when they proceeded 
at the rate of about two miles an hour, than the approach of 
sunset warned them to halt for the night, and then the whole 
party dispersed to gather dry thistles, withered straw and 
herbage, or any material with which a fire can be lighted to 
cook their victuals. This process is very quickly and sum- 
marily performed ; often have I seen the animal on foot help- 
ing to draw the waggon, and killed, flayed, roasted and swal- 
lowed in less than two hours! Dry grass is often the only 
fuel that can be procured: the men divide into parties, four 
to each mess ; the portion of beef is handed to them ; and they 
generally cook it by sticking it on an iron rod which they fix 
in the ground and lean over the smoky fire. Then each indi- 
vidual pulls off his singed and bloody portion, severing it 
partly with his knife and partly with his greased and gory 
fingers ; and with unwashed hands and filthy beard, enjoys 
his half-raw meal, devoured without bread, vegetables or salt, 
in as much comfort and with greater health than does the 
London epicure his highly seasoned and varied feast. 

Many of the people who accompany these tropas have been 
born in them and know no other home than a cart or waggon, 
nor can do anything save driving and tormenting the poor 
animals committed to their charge; he being esteemed the 
cleverest fellow who can make his bullocks cry loudest with 
the tortures he inflicts. It cannot be wondered at that they 


10 Account of a Journey across the 


are avery ignorant, thievish and deceitful set of savages. The 
traveller requires to be constantly on the look-out or his pro- 
perty will be stolen: if he has carried anything to eat or drink 
and does not share it with these ruffians, they abuse him, call 
him a bad Christian, and take it away; nay, murders are fre- 
quently committed and gloried in under these circumstances : 
and such were the people with whom I was once for seven 
months, the only stranger save one Frenchman ! 

Early on the 6th of March we crossed the river de las 
Conchas, twenty-one miles from Buenos Ayres, on an old, 
rickety, dangerous wooden bridge, the only bridge of any de- 
scription that we met with in a journey of nearly 1200 miles. 
The care that was taken to prevent accidents consumed three 
hours in passing it, immediately after which we entered a 
grassy plain, diversified by no change of scenery, except a 
forest of tall thistles (Carduus marianus) six to ten feet high, 
mingled with a coarse species of Hrigeron. At mid-day we ~ 
halted and were here joined by a large carriage conveying the 
_ family of the owner of the waggons and his servants. 

While stopping here I strolled a little way and found the 
first specimen worth gathering, it was an Hupatorium, with 
broad cordate leaves and tricoloured flowers, which I had how- 
ever seen before at the Rio Negro, Banda Oriental. 

7th. This day we performed the extraordinary distance of 
five leagues, all the way being over a grassy plain, where no 
water could be had, except at one solitary Rancho, where they 
gave us some excellent water, drawn from a depth of only 11 
feet below the surface. I took the opportunity of ascertain- 
ing the depth of all the wells (which are however few in num- 
ber) that we saw, and found that by digging about 20 feet at 
most, an abundance of fine water can always be procured. 
So lazy are the people, however, that they generally prefer 
using what they can obtain from some filthy stagnant pool, 
to taking the trouble of sinking a well; one hindrance, how- 
ever exists in the want of materials for cradling such pits, as 
they have nothing for the purpose but bones. At night we 
were deprived of sleep by the clouds of mosquitoes which is- 
sued from a stinking marsh close to which we had encamped. 
_ 8th. Four hours were occupied this morning in crossing 


Pampas of Buenos Ayres to Tucuman. 11 


the marsh, though but half a mile wide. Each waggon had to 
be dragged over by eight pair of oxen, so that after one had 
passed, the cattle had to be sent back to assist the next. I 
saw several vehicles, besides our own, thus engaged ; for as 
there is no general road, each takes his own way as seems 
best. One unfortunate fellow had overset his cart loaded with 
wheat in this grassy marsh; he was going with it to Buenos 
Ayres, and the grain being in bulk and not in bags, must 
have been almost entirely lost under the water and among the 
aquatic herbage. Two others were helping him to recover it, 
standing nearly up to the middle in water. 

Corn is not carried to market here in sacks, but four hides 
are loosely attached by their corners to the inside of the huge 
hurdle-cart already described, thus forming a kind of open 
box, into which the grain or any other cargo is flung. 

At sunset, having been travelling over a grassy and some- 
what undulating country, we arrived at the village of Lujuan 
(pronounced Leuchan) lying in a sort of flat valley. Our first 
view of it from an elevated ridge was very prepossessing: its 
straggling roofs and whitened church, mingled with fig trees, 
and lighted by the setting sun, gave me the idea of a neat Eng- 
lish village ; but a nearer approach dispelled this favourable 
appearance. We found it a poor miserable place, chiefly con- 
sisting of mud-built, straw-covered Ranchos ; a few tolerable 
brick dwellings formed a kind of square in the centre and out- 
side them were ranged several wretched huts, without gardens 
or any appearance of cultivated ground, except some small 
peach clumps, which are kept to be cut every two or three 
years for fuel. The peach trees here are as plentiful as osiers 
in England, and may generally be seen growing along with the 
Agave Americana and the seven-angled Cactus. A consi- 
derable quantity of good wheat and maize is raised in this di- 
strict for the Buenos Ayres market: the pieces of ground 
thus occupied being unfenced are preserved from the intru- 
sions of cattle by having a lion or tiger tethered in the centre, 
the smell of which deters any cattle from approaching. (What 
is here called a lion, is probably the American lion or puma.) 

9th. Leaving Lujuan at midnight, we passed the Guardia 
de Lujuan, three miles on our left, where are the head quarters 


12 Account of a Journey across the 


of the Argentine cavalry: here the country is chiefly occupied 
in keeping and breeding horses for the army, being clothed 
with rich grass and abounding in good water. 

10th. Having travelled most of the night, and up to eleven 
o’clock in the forenoon, except resting two hours at sun-rise, 
we halted about noon when the sun was very warm, and turned 
out the cattle to feed in a fine and rich, though rather coarse, 
grassy meadow. [xcept two species of grass I added nothing 
to my specimen-book, the vegetation being similar to that of 
Buenos Ayres. Water was scarce and bad; near one Rancho 
we unexpectedly found a sunken well, but nothing to draw 
withal, except a large horn which had many ups and downs 
before our thirst was satisfied; there was only eight feet of 
depth before we came to the water, but the well being lined 
with shank-bones gives the water a very bad taste. 

11th. This day’s travelling was slow and fatiguing, owing 
to the scorching unclouded sun; but we made up the differ- 
ence by pushing onwards during the night, when we came to 
good roads, for the most of the daylight had been consumed 
in passing a bog of soft mud. To each cart the united force 
of nine or ten pairs of bullocks had to be applied to pull it 
through this bog which is only three-fourths of a mile wide. 
The whole day being thus spent, I took the opportunity of ex- 
amining the vegetation of this neighbourhood, but only found 
two Syngenesious species that were new to me. 

12th. Early this morning we came to another soft marsh 
with a slow river winding through it: the current did not flow 
faster than half a mile an hour. This river is called the Ar- 
roya del Pez, or Fish River, a name generally applied to di- 
stinguish such streams as do not dry up in summer from those 
which disappear at that period, although there may be no fish 
in either. Great caution was necessary in crossing this place, 
as the heads of the shaft bullocks were often drawn under 
water by the weight of the waggon. So long was the line of 
cattle, that often the foremost animals were already across be- 
fore the cart had entered the water. When the traces break, 
as not unfrequently happens, the poor beasts are drowned. 

13th. We rested during most of the hot afternoon of yes- 
terday, and travelled all night through a rough trackless plain, 


Pampas of Buenos Ayres to Tucuman. 138 


and stopped in sight of the small village of Salto Chico, which 
we reached in the afternoon. This was another straggling 
assemblage of Ronchos, their walls of unburnt bricks, but the 
church with its whitewashed spire looked rather respectable ; 
for here, as in all countries where the Romish pontiff holds 
sway, be the morals of the people as depraved as they may, 
the outward appearance of the church is the first considera- 
tion. For instance, at San Lorenzo on the Poran, a village of 
but five miserable huts, the church is one of the most splendid 
buildings in the whole Argentine Republic. The population 
of Salto Chico is about 1500: the place is noted for sending 
a great number of cheeses to Buenos Ayres, which are how- 
ever but very poor eating, and fetch a current dollar, fivepence 
each, weighing about 2lbs. A small river passes the village : 
the water is very brackish and bad, but we obtained a supply 
of what was good from wells, about fifteen feet deep to the 
bottom. 

14th. Having again travelled most of the night, we found 
ourselves in the morning traversing a dreary houseless plain 
country, covered however with cattle and sheep.. Rain came 
on in the evening, accompanied with thunder and vivid conti- 
nued flashes of lightning ; these, however, caused no alarm to 
the inhabitants as they would have done in a metallic coun- 
try: for though storms of lightning are much more frequent 
and violent here than in England, they are never known to do 
any injury. 

15th. We entered another poor village, called Pergamena; 
with a population of about 2000. Here we quitted the pro- 
vince of Buenos Ayres and therefore found it needful to lay 
in a stock of pumpions and some bread; the latter was with 
difficulty procured, being considered a luxury in this neigh- 
bourhood. We are now 120 miles from Buenos Ayres, and’I 
have found but seven specimens of plants. 

16th. At the Arroya del Medio, which divides the province 
of Buenos Ayres from that of Santa Fé, we were joined by 
100 fresh draught bullocks, as we now enter uninhabited 
Pampas, occupied only by wandering Indians, and it is most 
desirable to pass through this country as quickly as possible 
lest the Indians should have time to collect and attack us for 


14 Account of a Journey across the 


the sake of plunder. We therefore travelled night and day, 
making only very short stoppages to change the cattle and 
singe our beef, cooking being out of the question, where no 
fuel could be procured except dry grass, and when it was un- 
advisable to make any delay. We however saw nothing in 
these vast plains but three Tropas on their way to Buenos 
Ayres, at considerable distances from us. On these wide and 
open tracts an assemblage of fifty waggons only looks like a 
few ships scattered on the vast ocean, steering their way, as 
by compass, through the trackless wastes. Even the wild 
animals, as Foxes, Polecats, and Becatchos, abundant in more 
inhabited districts, are not to be seen in this desert: some 
grey and. black vultures only attended our Tropa, which 
picked up any offal that came in their way. Here while stop- 
ping, during the passage of the Arroya called Del Indio- 
muerto, I saw great quantities of a large species of quail, ge- 
nerally called the pheasant of the country, probably attracted 
to this spot by the fine and large species of grass, with eat- 
able seeds, which grow in the Arroya. On the 22nd of March, 
which was a clear calm sunny day, we noticed vast flocks of 
swallows, flying in a direction contrary to our course, which 
was north-west, at a great height from the ground ; probably 
on their way to the warm islands of the Pacific Oceans. These 
birds generally quit Buenos Ayres in the beginning of April 
and return thither late in September. Only one kind of swal- 
low is found in this country: it is large, and with more grey 
on the back than the house swallow of Britain, builds its nest 
under tiles and in holes of walls, and has a strong melodious 
note much resembling that of a rising lark. 

24th. Having travelled for the last seven days and nights 
through a continued flat grassy plain, where nothing but bit- 
ter and brackish water could be had, we stopped at sunrise to 
let the poor exhausted cattle eat the damp though withered 
grass, and at nine in the morning reached Guardia del Equina, 
a poor village of thirty-two Ranchos. Here are some old mud 
forts, whence the cannon have however been removed ; this 
military establishment, which was built by the old Spaniards 
to awe the Indians, is now given up. We rested all night at 
this place to repair our carts, and sent back about 100 of the 


Pampas of Buenos Ayres to Tucuman. 15 


most worn-out bullocks. While these affairs were proceeding 
I examined the vegetation, but as the ground is dry and saline 
I only found a paniculated Syngenesious shrub, and a spe- 
cies of Hordeum. Round the old forts, where the ground has 
been broken up, the land is covered with the common Hore- 
hound and Fennel: these plants, which are inseparable com- 
panions, always occur in great abundance in similar spots, 
springing up wherever the original soil has been disturbed. 

25th. Having now passed that part of the road which is 
considered the most dangerous from the attacks of Indians, 
we halted for six hours, but as it was by the side of a horribly 
stinking marsh, the clouds of mosquitoes prevented our get- 
ting any sleep. Most of the day was spent in crossing the bog, 
_ during which time I had the gratification of gathering a very 
beautiful kind of Digitalis, with crisped linear leaves. We then 
changed the draught beasts and resumed our journey on a 
fine dry ground, which, gradually rismg, brought us to the 
summit of the highest ridge we had yet passed. From the 
summit we had before us one of the finest and most welcome’ 
views that could be imagined. Hitherto we had been travel- 
ling over a lonely desert, bare of everything but grass of a 
foxy-brown colour; but now our eyes were suddenly glad- 
dened with a delightfully fresh verdure; a beautiful serpent- 
ine river, the Corcouneon, slowly winding its course through 
richly wooded land, adorned with lakes of clear looking water. 
Several of the fields have the appearance of being cultivated 
with wheat and maize ; this is owing to the fresh grass spring- 
ing up after the process of burning the ground. A little be- 
fore sunset we came to a beautiful piece of water where I had 
the comfort of getting myself thoroughly washed ;—no small 
refreshment, after travelling for three weeks through clouds of 
dust. Here I found a curious Eryngium, smelling strongly 
like Angelica, and a species of Eupatorium with fine tufts of 
peach-coloured flowers. 


[To be continued. ] 


16 W.S. Macleay on the Structure and 


IlI.— Observations on Trilobites, founded on a comparison of 
their structure with that of living Crustacea. By W. S. 
MacLeay, M.A., F.L.S., &c.* 


TRILOBITES were originally considered by Klein and others 
to be a particular kind of molluscous shell with three lobes. 
This supposition, however, was afterwards abandoned as un- 
tenable, and remained so until Latreille, in the 7th volume of 
the ‘ Annales du Muséum,’ revived it and referred the trilo- 
bitic fossils to the genus Chiton among the Mollusca. Latreille 
founded his argument on the presumed absence of feet, and 
on the lateral edges of the body in several species having been 
sub-coriaceous. It is evident, nevertheless, that these early 
inhabitants of the sea could not have belonged to the sub- 
kingdom Mollusca, since they possessed compound sessile 
eyes and a distinct labrum. They must, therefore, be assigned 
to the sub-kingdom Annulosa, in which we may find many 
articulated animals which have compound eyes and a labrum 
very similar in structure to those of Trilobites. Having a 
hard, shelly, apterous tergum and inconspicuous feet, the Tri- 
lobites must have either belonged to the order Chilognatha 
among the Ametabola, or to the class of Crustacea. But all 
the Chilognatha are terrestrial animals, and the obvious geo- 
logical fact is, that Trilobites resided in the sea. We must 
clearly therefore exclude them from the Chilognatha and place 
them among the Crustacea, in which class it becomes now 
necessary to determine their exact place. 

The class of Crustacea, so remarkable above all other ani- 
mals for the great variation of their feet, both in number and 
form, is divisible into two groups; those which have the eyes 
sessile or the Edriophthalma of Leach, and those which have 
their eyes supported on moveable peduncles or the Pod- 
ophthalma of Leach. To the Edriophthalma the Trilobites 
clearly belong, and the question is now reduced to determine 
merely whether they belong to the Amphipoda or those existing 
Crustacea which do not undergo metamorphosis in their larva 
state, (among which I include not only the Amphipoda of La- 


* Reprinted with permission from R. I. Murchison’s valuable work on 
the ‘ Silurian System.’ 


Affinities of Trilobites. 17 


treille, but also his Lamodipoda and Isopoda,) or whether they 
belong to the Entomostraca or those existing Edriophthalma 
which do undergo a change of form in their larva state. I 
conceive that the Trilobites will be found to differ in so many 
respects from both the Amphipoda and Entomostraca, that ac- 
cording to the present state of our knowledge, we must allow 
them to form a distinct order, intermediate between the tribe 
Isopoda on the one side, and the tribe Aspidophora on the other. 

Those circumstances which generally are reckoned most 
anomalous in the Trilobites are not in reality so very extraor- 
dinary, since they may be detected in many Crustacea now 
existing. Thus the trilobed form of the body occurs in Serolis 
and Bopyrus. The membranaceous or rather coriaceous mar- 
gin of the body, assumed by Latreille and others to exist in 
Trilobites, is to be found in the female Cymothoe. In these 
last animals also, as well as in the female Bopyrus, we observe 
the eyes to disappear as in many Trilobites. The compound 
eyes of Calymene are situated on the back of the head, but wide 
apart, and are composed of large facets. ‘The same structure 
may be seen in the male of Cymothoa trigonocephala, and 
many other Cymothoade. The absence of antenne and the 
rudimentary state of the feet, both occur in Bopyrus, the well- 
known parasite of prawns. In Spheroma we have not only 
the onisciform body of Calymene, but also its property of roll- 
ing itself up into a ball. In Spheroma also we find the large 
convex semicircular anal segment of Bumastus. I think, there- 
fore, that we can have no hesitation now in allowing the im- 
mediate affinity of the Trilobites to Isopod Amphipoda, and 
more particularly to the Cymothoade and that parasitical 
group which is called Kpicarides by Latreille. Indeed, if the 
Trilobites are once demonstrated to have possessed articulated 
feet, it will be difficult to remove a male Bopyrus from the 
group. Here the two eyes are placed on the back of the head 
wide apart. Here also there are no antenna, no posterior 
lateral abdominal appendages, and besides no very distinct 
articulation to the sternum. If the Bumastus of Murchison 
had a body of thirteen equal segments with short crustaceous 
feet it would be-a male Bopyrus, so close is the affinity! The 
differences between a male and female Bopyrus, such for in- 

Ann, Nat. Hist. Vol.4. No.21. Sept, 1839. c 


18 W.S. Macleay on the Structure and 


stance as the presence of eyes in the former and the want of 
them in the latter, may also induce us to fancy that similar 
differences may have possibly occurred between certain male 
and female Trilobita, which from their prima facie difference 
of form are now placed in distinct genera, although they may 
have truly belonged to one and the same species. Serolis has 
been generally considered to come near to Paradozides ; but 
as the former has got four well-developed antennz with crus- 
taceous feet, and the latter none, I am inclined to believe the 
relation between them to be one of analogy rather than of im- 
mediate affinity—Let us now turn to the Entomostraca. 

Dr. Buckland, following other authors, has compared the 
Trilobites with the genera Limulus and Branchipus. With 
the latter genus, however, they obviously have no immediate — 
affinity; although it may be well, by reference to Branchipus, 
to show that Crustacea can and actually do exist, with soft 
membranaceous feet, such as Audouin and Brongniart sus- 
pected, and Goldfuss has more lately asserted, to have been 
the feet of Trilobites. When, nevertheless, I take into consi- 
deration the perfect manner in which the soft body of an ani- 
mal referred to me by Mr. Murchison, and by that gentleman 
called Nereites Cambrensis, has left its impression in a slaty 
rock, I confess I find it difficult to understand how the ves- 
tiges of legs in a Trilobite (if such legs ever really existed) 
should not be more evident than Goldfuss has represented 
them in his plates. In short, I consider the question of feet 
to remain still unsettled. At the same time I ought to remark, 
that if the Trilobites were Crustacea, between Apus and Bo- 
pyrus, a fact I conceive capable of demonstration, they must 
have been in possession of subabdominal, laminar, oviferous, 
appendages. Now, no traces of such appendages remain, 
consequently we can easily understand how feet of a similar 
membranaceous consistency may have disappeared in like 
manner. I may here observe, that Brongniart is certainly 
wrong in imagining that the Ogygia Guettardi had oval ovi- 
ferous bags appendent to the abdomen like Cyclops, for what 
he considers to be such organs are more probably the mem- 
branaceous margin of the abdomen, and, besides, Ogygia has 
no immediate affinity to Cyclops. With reference to Limulus, 


Affinities of Trilobites. 19 


its crustaceous, semilunar cephalothorax bears considerable 
resemblance to that of certain Trilobites, such as the genera 
Ogygia, Asaphus, Paradoxides, &c. In Limulus, we find reni- 
form, compound eyes placed widely apart on the back of the 
head, and consisting of peculiar facets. We find, also, an indi- 
stinct trilobed structure of the superior abdominal shield. But 
then this is composed of a number of confluent segments, so as 
to appear of one piece ; and, besides the two ocelli, the large 
crustaceous feet and cheliform antenne throw Limulus far 
away from the Trilobites. We must, therefore, compare them 
with Apus and other Aspidophora ; animals which, in my opi- 
nion, of all the Entomostraca, appear to come nearest to the 
Trilobita. Here we have a large clypeiform shell, rounded in 
front, and posteriorly emarginate, which forms a cephalotho- 
rax, on the back of which are situated three eyes. Of these 
the two largest are lunated, and obviously correspond to the 
eyes of Trilobita, although they are placed. proportionally 
much nearer to each other. It is true they are simple, but so 
appear to have been the eyes of Bumastus*. The abdomen, 
divided into many distinct segments, the foliaceous feet, the 
_ structure of the front of the cephalothorax, the two rudiment- 
ary antenne, the large labrum and projecting mandibles, all 
show the affinity of Apus to the Trilobites, more particularly 
to Asaphus platycephalus, in a specimen of which from Lake 
Huron, Mr. C. Stokes has discovered a subquadrate labrum, 
which only differs from that of Apus, in being anteriorly 
deeply emarginate, while the latter is truncated. Dr. Buck- 
land has compared this organ to that of crabs, but decapod. 
Crustacea possess a very different structure, and the thing 
most like this labrum is to be found among the Xiphosura, or 
still better, among the Aspidophora of Latreille, of which group 
this naturalist’s genus Prosopistoma ought more particularly 
to be compared with Trilobites. I am not aware, however, 
that any trilobite has yet occurred with vestiges of ocelli. 


* The distinction between smooth eyes and granulose eyes does not seem 
to be of much importance in these animals; for among the existing family 
of Cymothoide we not only see the males of some species with eyes and the 
females without them, but we observe neighbouring genera, such as Eurydice 
and Nelocira, the one with granulose eyes like a Cdymene, and the other 
with smooth eyes like a Bumastus. 


eg 


20 W.S. MacLeay on the Structure and 


Still there are characters which, in my opinion, distinguish 
Trilobites from almost all other Crustacea; and among these 
characters I would particularly mention the absence of all la- 
teral, posterior, abdominal appendages. Excepting Bopyrus* 
and certain Lemodipoda, all the Amphipoda possess these anal 
appendages, which are generally styliform, articulated and in 
number two. The Lemodipoda, however, want these append- 
ages, because the whole abdomen in them has become eva- 
nescent, a case totally different from that of Trilobites, which, 
like Bopyrus, have a well-developed abdomen consisting of 
many segments. I therefore consider this deficiency of anal 
appendages to a well-developed abdomen, when joined with 
the evanescent feet and the total absence of antenne, to be 
characters separating the Trilodita from all Crustacea except 
Bopyrus. The affinities of the group may be roughly mine aa 
by the reramnonesei diagram. 


Bopyrus. 


Bumastus, 


Xiphosura, 
urch. 


Lat. 


AMPHIPODA. 


- Cymothoade, 
Leach. 


TRILOBITA. 


ENTOMOSTACA. 
Asaphus, 


Aspidophora, 
Lat. 


If we allow any accuracy to belong to the foregoing remarks 
on the affinities of Trilobites, it will follow that the class of 
Crustacea may for the present be distributed into orders, thus ; 


viz. 
Normal Group. Orders. 
r Decaropa, Lat. Antenniferous region 
Poporutuatma, Leach. of head confluent 
Animals having their with the thorax. 


eyes supported on move- | STomatoropa, Lat. Antenniferous region 
able peduncles. of head distinct 
from the thorax. 


* Bopyrus may possibly belong to the Trilobita, but I confess I do not 
see how Agnostus can. Nor do I believe that the latter fossil has any con-. 
nexion with the Annulosa at all. 


Affinities of Trilobites. 21 


Aberrant Group. Orders. 

; AMPuIPoDA, Lat. Head distinct with 
four antenne. Feet 
thick and crustace- 
ous. Animals not 
undergoing meta- 

morphosis. 
Tritozita, Brongn. Head distinct without 
EprioputHatma, Leach. antenne. Feet ru- 
Animals having their + dimentary, soft, and 

eyes sessile. membranaceous. 

Entomostraca, Lat. Head rarely, if ever, 
distinct from tho- 
rax, but provided 
with antennz. Feet 
always _ distinct. 
Animals undergo- 
ing metamorphosis, 


LL 


With regard to the habits of true Trilobites, these animals 
have been supposed by some naturalists to be parasitical ; but 
I conceive this hypothesis not to be very tenable, since almost 
all existing articulated parasites that adhere externally to other 
animals have strong feet, hooked at the end for that purpose. 
Now the Trilobites certainly had no such strong crustaceous 
hooks to their feet, or these hooks would have long since been. 
detected. The close affinity of Trilobites to Bopyrus does not — 
prove a parasitical mode of life, for Spheroma and other Cymo- 
thoade which, like Trilobites, have the power of coiling them- 
selves up into a ball, are not parasitical, although so close in 
affinity to the parasitical genus Cymothoa. Nay, it has been 
said that the Cymothoade and Epicarides do not draw their 
nourishment directly from the animals to which they adhere ; 
but, on the contrary, live entirely on the animalcule brought 
to them in the water by the play of the branchiz, near which 
they always take their post. Still the close connexion of Tri- 
lobites with Bopyrus, and their feet almost null, if not entirely 
so, induce me to think that these animals must have been to a 
certain degree sedentary. The flat under surface of their bodies, 
and the lateral coriaceous margin of several species, which is 
so analogous to that of Chiton, make it probable that they ad- 
hered with a soft articulated underside either to rocks or fuci. 
They appear to have been among Crustacea what the Vermes 
or white-blooded worms are among Ametabola,—often without 
eyes, and always without antennz or distinct feet. If they 
had feet, as Audouin and Goldfuss imagine, and, as indeed is 


22 Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand. 


most probable, they must have been so small, so membrana- 
ceous, so soft, and so rudimentary, as almost to be useless to 
the animals for locomotion. The mouth, so analogous to that 
of Apus, makes us imagine that the Trilobites were carnivorous ; 
and they may possibly have fed on Acrita, Annelida, or naked 
Mollusca. 'That they had to search for their food, and that 
they possessed some small power of locomotion, is to be in- 
ferred from their highly organized eyes; for no truly sessile 
animal is provided with sight. The Balanus, when it becomes 
sedentary, loses its eyes, as does also, in like case, the female 
Coccus. I imagine, therefore, that although the Trilobites 
were to a certain degree sedentary, more particularly the blind 
ones, they must have had some power of crawling over a flat 
surface ; but whether they moved by rudimentary, soft, mem- 
branaceous feet, or whether it was by means of the undula- 
tion of setigerous segments, like the earth-worm, or by wrin- 
kling the under surface of the abdomen like a Chiton, are ques- 
tions yet to be determined. One thing, moreover, is in my 
opinion clear, from their longitudinally trilobed form and la- 
teral coriaceous margin; namely, that they had the power of 
adhering to a flat surface, like a Chiton, Bopyrus, or Coccus. 
While thus sedentary, the hard, although thin dorsal shell, 
probably saved them in some degree from the attacks of fishes, 
just as that of Chiton protects such Mollusca from all fishes 
except the Scaride. The Trilobites probably, like Ostree, 
Chitones, Cocci, and other sedentary animals, adhered in 
masses one upon the other, and thus formed those conglome- 
rations of individuals which are so remarkable in certain 
rocks. 


1V.—Flore Insularum Nove Zelandie Precursor; or a Spe- 
cimen of the Botany of the Islands of New Zealand. By 
ALLAN CunNINGHAM, Esq. 
{Continued from vol. iii. p. 319.] 
TILIACEA, Juss. 
Entevea, &. Br., Juss. 


Calyx 4—5 phyllus. Petala 4. Stamina indefinita uniformia, Antheris 
subrotundisincumbentibus. Stigma denticulatum. Capsula ere 
echinata, 6-locularis, semi 6-valvis, polysperma. 


Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand. 23 


601. E. arborescens. R. Br. Mss. Bot. Mag. 2480.—Apeiba australis. 4. 
Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p. 301. t.34.—Corchorus Sloanoides. Sol. Ms. in Bibl. 
Banks. 

Whau or Iwau, indig. R. C. 

New Zealand (Northern Island).—1769, Sir Jos. Banks. Shores of the 
Bay of Islands.—1826, 4. Cunningham. 

Arbuscula 12—15 pedalis, ramis teretibus pubescentibus. Folia alterna, 
longe petiolata, palmaria, subcordata, palmato 3—5 loba, ineequaliter eroso- 
dentata, preesertim subtus pubescentia, pilis densis stellatis. Stipule bine, 
lanceolate deciduz. Flores in racemum brevem, pauciflorum, peduncula- 
tum dispositi. 

ELZOCARPEA, Juss. 
: 1. Exrzocarrus, L. (Dicera, Forst.) 

602. E. Hinau; foliis petiolatis alternis oblongis subacuminatis obtusis 
basi sensim attenuatis dentato-serratis subter pube adpressa sericeis venosis, 
in venarum axillis szepe saccato-foveolatis, racemis simplicibus axillaribus 
folio brevioribus, petiolis trilobatis, drupis ovatis, nucleo sulcato.—E, den- 
tatus. Vahl. Symb. iii. p. 67.—Dicera dentata. Forst. Prodr. n. 226. DC. 
Prodr.i. p.520. A. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p.303. 

Hinau ab incolis vulgo nominatur. 

New Zealand (Northern Island).—1769, Sir Jos. Banks. Frequent in 
the forests of Wangaroa, Hokianga, &c.—1826, 4. Cunningham. (Middle 
Island.) Shores of Queen Charlotte’s Sound.—1773, G. Forster. 

Arbor procera, 50—60 pedalis; rami teretes, patentes ; cortice brunneo- 
griseo. Folia alterna, oblonga, vel ovato-lanceolata, dentato-serrata, coriacea 
glabra, patentia, petiolata, subtus tenuissime sericea, pulchre reticulato-ve- 
nosa, et in axillis venorum szpe profunde foveolata. Racemi axillares sim- 
plicissimi, palmares, laxiflores, folio breviores. Calyx 5-sepalus, sepalis 
lineari-lanceolatis acutis villosis equalibus patentibus. Petala alba, oblongo- 
dilatata, 3-lobata, 3-nervia, unguiculata, lobis oblongis obtusis undulatis in- 
termedio longiore. Stamina circiter 15—20. Anthere lineares, teretiusculo- 
tetragonz, villoso-scabree, 2-loculares, filamentis longiores, apice 2-valves 
dehiscentes, valva unica aristata, altera breviore reflexa. Discus hypogynus 
5-glandulosus, glandulis basi bifidis extus sericeis. Ovariwm superum coni- 
cum sericeum 5-loculare. Stylus subulatus. Stigma simplex. Drupa nu- 
cleo sulcato 5-loculare? loculis 4 plerumque abortivis. 

The wood of the Hinau is remarkable for its whiteness, but it is 
almost useless on account of the way in which it splits, when exposed 
either to wet or warmth. Its chief use is that it makes an excellent 
dye, either a light brown, puce or dark black, not removeable by wash- 
ing. The natives employ it (that is the outer skin of the bark) for 
the purpose of dyeing the black threads of their garments.—Yates’s 
New Zealand, p. 49. 

2. Friesta, DC. 
Calyx profunde 4-partitus, foliolis zequalibus ovatis. Petala 4, cuneata, 


24 Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand. 


subunguiculata, apice triloba. Discus glandulosus. Stamina circiter 
12, Anthere cordato-oblonge, muticz, 2-loculares, poris sub apice 
dehiscentes. Stylus leviter sulcatus, apice 2-vel 4-fidus. Bacca sicca, 
fragilis, 4-locularis, loculis dispermis. Semina angulata subtriquetra, 
testa atra nitida, rugosa, crustacea. 

603. F. racemosa, foliis (oppositis) cordato-ovatis acuminatis petiolatis 
inzequaliter serratis flaccidis venosis, racemis compositis subpaniculatis pa- 
tentibus axillaribus ramulisque villosis—Dicera? serrata. Forst. Prodr. n. 
227. DC. Prodr.i. p. 520. A. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p. 304.—Eleocarpus Di- 
cera. Vahl. Symb. iii. p. 67. 

Mako-Mako of the natives. R. C. 

New Zealand (Northern Island).—1769, Sir Jos. Banks. Shady forests 
and margins of running streams, shores of the Bay of Islands, and elsewhere 
on the east coast where it usually flowers in Oct. and Nov.—1826, 4. Cun- 
ningham. (Middle Island.)—1773, G. Forster. 

Arbuscula erecta pulcherrima, ]2—15 pedalis: rami patentes, teretes, 
suboppositi. olia membranacea, minute reticulato-venosa, juniora varie 
violacea purpurascentique picta. lores in racemos patentes dispositi. 
Calyx villosus ciliatus. Petala albido-rosea vel purpurascentia, sepalis al- 
terna, Jilamenta staminum cinereo-villosa, Stylus deciduus. : 


STERCULIACEAR, Kunth. Endl. (Bombacea, D.C ?) 
Praciantuus, Forst. 


Flores hermaphroditi. Calyx subhzmisphericus 5-fidus aut dentatus, 
persistens, Petala 5, cum tubo staminum unita. Stamina 10—12, fila- 
lamenta in tubum cylindraceum unitum. Piséillum solitarium. Ovarium 
ovatum, 1—2 ovulatum, ovulis suspensis. Stylus crassiusculus. Stigma 
magnum bilobum, hinc decurrens, papillosum. Capsula subdrupacea 1—2 

cocca, apiculata indehiscens. Coeculi l-spermi. Semen pendens. Albu- 
-men carnosum. Embryo immersus, curvatus. Radicula cylindracea, ad 
hilum seminis versa: Cotyledones majusculz planze subfoliacez longitudi- 
naliter undulate.—Arbores vel Frutices. Folia stipulata, alterna, linearia. 
aut ovata. Flores subsolitarii paniculatique. 

604. P. divaricatus, glaber, foliis fasciculatis lineari-spathulatis obtusis 
integerrimis patentibus trinerviis floribus solitariis binisve axillaribus, pe- 
talis obovatis ad basin tubi staminum unitis, lobis stigmatis tubo inclusis, 
caule fruticoso. Forst. Prodr. n. 254. DC. Prodr.i.p.477. A. Rich. Fl. 
Nov. Zel. p,299. Bot. Mag. 3271. 

Runa, indigenis. &. Cunn. 

New Zealand (Northern Island).—1769, Sir Jos. Banks. Frequent in 
salt marshes on low sides of rivers, where it forms dense bushes.—1826, 4. 
Cunningham.. (Middle Island).—1773, G. Forster. 

Frutex gracilis, diffusus, 3—4 pedalis, ramis virgatis divaricatis alternis 
teretibus prorsus glabris, cortice atro-brunneo, stipulis procumbentibus. 
Flores solitarii interdum bini; pedicellis brevibus. Calyx cyathiformis, 5- 
dentatus, dentibus acutis parvis brevibus divaricatis. Petala ovata, conca- 


Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand. : 26 


viuscula, patentia, flavescentia. Stigma bilobum, longitudine tubi staminum. 
Ovarium parce tomentosum, mono-dicoccum, ovulis pendulis. ~ 

605. P. betulinus; ramulis foliisque villosis, foliis sparsis petiolatis ovato- 
lanceolatis acuminatis grosse inzequaliterque serrato-trinerviis, floribus ter- 
minalibus lateralibusve ramoso-paniculatis decompositis, pilis cinereis con- 
spersis, petalis lineari-spathulatis subciliatis ad medium tubi staminum co- 
herentibus, lobis stigmatis patentibus tubum superantibus recurvis, caule 
arborescenti. 

New Zealand (Northern Island). A lofty tree on the banks of the Kana- 
Kana river, near its head, Bay of Islands.—1833, R. Cunningham. 

Arbor procera, 70 pedalis. Rami stricti, teretes ; juniores tomentosi, pilis 
stellatis, cortice fibroso tenaci brunneo. Stipule deciduz. Flores paniculati, 
ramis patentibus villosis. Calyx 5-fidus; lacinize ovate acuminate, nervose, 
coriaceze, rigide, patentes. Petala alba, spathulata. Sétigma bilobum, tubo 
staminum longius. Ovarium villosum, 1-loculare, uniovulatum. Ovulum 
pendulum, 

606. P. urticinus ; ramulis foliisque canescentibus, foliis sparsis petiolatis 
ovato-lanceolatis attenuatis grosse inzequaliterque serratis venosis, paniculis 
ramosis terminalibus, petalis lineari-spathulatis elongatis acutis, juxta basin 
tubi staminum concretis, stylo omnino incluso, caule fruticoso. 

New Zealand (Northern Island). Among underwood on the banks of 
the Kana-Kana river, Bay of Islands.—1826, 4. Cunningham. 

Frutex 6—8 pedalis. Rami virgati, teretes laxiusculi, ramulis alternis 
brevibus, foliatis. Stipule caduce. lores paniculati, ramis strictis dense 
stellato-pilosis. Calyx 5-fidus, laciniis ovatis acutis, minus rigidioribus sed 
villosioribus quam in precedenti. Petala attenuato-spathulata. Stylus in 
tubo staminum penitus inclusus. 

This species differs from the preceding in its leaves being smaller 
and more attenuated, in having its branchlets more hoary, and its 
petals, which are united almost at the base of the tube of stamens, 
more attenuated and somewhat exceeding the tube in length, within 
which the style is, moreover, wholly inclosed. 


MALVACES, R&R. Br. Kunth. 
Hisiscus, L. 
607. H. vesicarius. L. Willd, Sp. Pi. iii. p. 882. DC. Prodr, i. p. 453. 

Cav. Diss. iii. p. 171. t. 64. f. 2. 

’ New Zealand (Northern Island). On hills near the village of Manga- 
maka on the Hokianga river, and at Ngaire opposite the Cavallos Isles, off 
the East Coast.—1833, 2. Cunningham. 

An planta vere indigena? Forsan ex Anglia introducta. 


LINER, DC. 
Linum, L. 
608. L. monogynum, caule basi suffruticoso, foliis sparsis lanceolatis 3- 
netviis integris glabris, stylo simplici. orst. Prodr. n. 145. DC. Prodr. 
i, p. 428. A. Rich. Fl, Nov, Zel. p. 317. Don. in Sweet Fl, Gard. t. 


26 Dr. Wagner on the Habits of the Macroscelides Rozeti. 


Kaho, incolis. R. Cunn.—Nao vulgo ab incolis dicitur. D’Urville. 
New Zealand (Northern Island).—1769, Sir Jos. Banks. On bare rocks 
on the islets of the Bay of Islands, &c.—1826, 4. Cunningham. (Middle 
Island.)—1773, G. Forster. Astrolabe Harbour.—1827, D’ Urville. 


CARYOPHYLLEZ. 
1. Arenaria, L. 
609. A. media, L. DC. Prodr.i.p.401. A. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p. 315. 
—A. marina. Engl. Bot. t. 958. 
Note-noho ab incolis vulgo sub nomine cognoscitur. D'Urville. 
New Zealand (Middle Island). Frequent on rocks near the sea-coast, 
Astrolabe Harbour.—1827, D'Urville. 3 


2. Srevuaria, L. 
S. media, Sm. Fl. Brit. p.473. DC. Prodr. i. p. 396. Engl. Bot. t.537. 
—Alsine media, Z. A. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p. 316. 
Kaikaka, indigenis. D’ Urville. 
New Zealand (Northern Island). Frequent in open grounds, distant 
from any European settlement, apparently indigenous, in the country be- 
tween Waimaté and Hokianga.—1833, R. Cunningham. — 


ELATINEZ, Cambess. in Mem. du Mus. (1829.) 
Exatine, L, 

Calyx 3—4 partitus persistens inferus. Petala 3—4. Stamina 3—6—8. 
Styli 3—4, breves. Capsula 3—4 valvis, 1—4 locularis, polysperma. 
Semina cylindrica, longitudinaliter sulcata, transversimque striata pla- 
centis centralibus affixa. 

610. E.? gratioloides, glabra, foliis oppositis subsessilibus obovatis obtusis 

venosis, floribus alternis axillaribus sessilibus. 

New Zealand (Northern Island). In a bog at Tauraki, Hokianga river. 
—1833, R. Cunningham. 

Herba glabra, caules repentes radicantes. Folia opposita, lato-obovata, 
obtusa, prope modum sessilia, decurrentia integerrima vel subrepanda, minu- 
tissime asperata. Stipule nulle. Flores nondum vidi, sed expositione 
fructus judicans sessiles, axillares, alterni. Calyx 3-partitus, persistens, la- 
ciniis subrotundis, obtusis, concavis. Capsula depressa, umbilicata, 1-locu- 
laris, polysperma. Semina oblonga, cylindracea, longitudinaliter tenuiter 
striata, transversim sulcata. 

[To be continued. ] 


ett ll 


V.—WNote on Macroscelides Rozeti*. By Dr. Morirz 
WAGNER. 


Tuis curious small insect-eater inhabits the western portion 
of the province of Algiers, It has hitherto been discovered 


* Established by Duvernoy in the ‘ Mém. de la Soc. d’Hist. Nat. de Stras- 
bourg,’ i. p. 2. 
t Translated from Wiegmann’s Archiv. First part, 1839. 


Dr. Wagner on the Habits of the Macroscelides Rozeti. 27. 


only in the neighbourhood of the towns of Oran, Tlemsan and 
Arzew. It does not appear to go further eastward than Arzew. 
It is moreover very rare and difficult to obtain even near these 
towns. Capt. Rozet who first sent this animal to France pro- 
cured it through the industrious soldiers of the bataillon 
d’Afrique, who with their meagre pay have an insatiable thirst, 
and grasp after all possible means of gratifying it. Two sol- 
diers of this famous corps, who were in great renown in Oran 
as rat and serpent catchers, conducted me to a rocky moun- 
tain to the west of Oran, whose summit is crowned by a Ma- 
rabut temple and the Spanish fort Santa Cruz. The Macro- 
scelides lives there among the cavities formed by large frag- 
ments of rock. It seeks out natural places of concealment, 
and does not excavate any holes; the female, however, forms 
a nest for the young among the most dense thickets of the 
dwarf palm (Chamerops humilis), which grows in great plenty 
on this rock. In the early hours of the day the animal quits 
its hiding-place and seeks out some sunny spot, but during 
mid-day hies to the shade of the Chamerops, and there lurks 
for its prey, the insects which settle on the lower plants. 
The Macroscelides prefers insect larve, grasshoppers without 
elytra, and especially snails, in fact all small soft animals. 
Incapable of breaking the hard house of Helix lactea, it thrusts 
its remarkably prolonged narrow mouth into the aperture, and 
generally tears away a portion of the snail before it has time 
to draw itself completely into the interior of its shell. I 
kept my twelve animals for some weeks alive at home, and 
fed them on small Orthoptera. They would not touch bread, 
maize, or sugar, although Rozet states that he kept his on 
bread. 

They are exceedingly gentle animals, which never bite, not 
even when they are tormented. They do not go on the hinder 
feet like the species of Dipus, but always on all fours, and 
when running the prolongation of their posterior feet is not 
at all perceptible. On the other hand I frequently observed 
them sitting on the rock raised like a rabbit on their hind 
feet, either watching their pursuers or spying about for prey. 
When catching flying or hopping insects they hide them- 
selves, lurking among the dwarf palm, and then generally en- 


28 On some new Species of Amaryllidez. 


deavour to reach their prey with the first long spring, for. 
which the length of the hinder feet is of great service. The 
taking of this insect-eater is very difficult. Should the pur- 
suer not succeed in discovering their hiding-place and cutting 
off their retreat under the mass of rock, it is then necessary to 
turn over the heavy blocks of stone with iron crow-bars. In 
the hot months, as also during rainy days, the Macrosce- 
lides disappears. The best time to obtain it is in spring and 
autumn. My soldiers had found the very small young of this: 
snouted mouse in the month of February near Tlemsan, con- 
sequently the time of pairing appears to be during the winter 
months. When imprisoned, I noticed in these small animals 
a very peculiar, powerful exhalation. A single Macroscelides 
which had been confined for some days in a large case left be- 
hind it an odour which the box retained for several weeks. 
Among themselves these animals appear to be very mild and 
not quarrelsome, at least I never observed them to fight, even 
about their food. 


V1—Amaryllidearum Species nove. By the Hon. and Rey. 
Wm. HerBert. 
PANCRATIUM TORTUOSUM. 


Bulbus subrotundus. Collo producto; folia angusta line- 
aria =5, unciz lata, tortilia (humifusa?); scapus brevis 
(subterraneus ?); spatha 2} unciali, 3—4-flora, germine 
sessili, tubo gracili 5 unciali. Corona 21 unc., limbi la- 
ciniis linearibus ultra 3 uncialibus, stylo filamentis coro- 
ronam ;°, superantibus longiore.—W. H. 

“Habitat in planitie arenosa Djedde in Arabia; floret 

Febr.” _ S. Fischer, MS. in Herb. Hooker. Planta viva est 
in hort. Spofforthiano. 


PANCRATIUM TRIANTHUM. 


Scapus 4—9 unc., spatha 11 unc., germen sessile; tubus 
4—5 unc., limbus 2;—3 unc., coronam circ. unciam sty- 
lum 3 unc., superans, filamenta stylo breviora coronam 
circ. 3 unc. superantia. i 

Ex Senegambia, 1839. Specimina omnia triflora ex herb. 

Hooker. Absque foliis.—W. H. 


Mr. Walker on the British Chalcidites. 29. 


VII.—Descriptions of British Chalcidites. By Francis WALKER, 
F.L.S. 


[Continued from vol. iii. p. 419.] 


Sp. 70. Cirrospilus Zopyrus, Mas. Viridi-eneus, abdomen cupreum, an- 
tenne fusce: pedes flavi fusco- et fulvo-varii, ale sublimpide. 


Viridi-zneus : oculi et ocelli rufi: antennz fusce; articulus 1" viridis; 
2"s piceus, apice fuscus: abdomen cupreum: pedes flavi; coxz virides; fe- 
mora fusco late cincta: tibize fulve apice et basi flav; tarsi apice fusci ; 
propedes tibiis et tarsis pallide fulvis: ala sublimpide ; squamulz pice ; 
nervi fusci, basi fulvi, (Corp. long. lin. 2; alar. lin. 4.) 

Found near London. 

Mas. Corpus sublineare, nitens, scitissime squameum, parce hirtum: ca- 
put transversum, breve convexum, juxta thoraci latum: antenne filiformes, 
corporis longitudine, pilis longis vestite ; articulus 1"* gracilis, sublinearis; 
2" longicyathiformis; 3"* brevis; 4"*, 5"° et 6" longi, lineares ; clava longi- 
fusiformis, acuminata, articulo 6° duplo longior: thorax longiovatus, con- 
vexus: prothorax brevissimus, supra vix conspicuus: mesothoracis scutum 
latitudine longius; parapsidum suture bene determinatz; scutellum brevi- 
conicum: metathorax mediocris, transversus: petiolus brevissimus: abdo- 
men sublineare, planum, thorace brevius fere angustius: pedes graciles : pro- 
alee angustz; nervus ulnaris humerali longior, radialis vix ullus, cubitalis 
sat longus. 


Sp. 71. Cirr. Arathis, Mas. Viridis, abdomen cupreum, antenn@ picee, 

pedes picei, tarsi fulvi, ale limpida@. 

Obscure viridis : oculi et ocelli rufi: antennz nigro-picee ; articuli 1" et 
2s yirides: abdomen nigro-cupreum: pedes picei; cox virides; genua 
fulva; tibiz apice fulve ; tarsi fulvi, apice fusci; propedes tibiis et tarsis 
fulvis: ale limpide; squamule picee ; nervi fusci. (Corp. long. lin. 4 ; 
alar. lin. 14.) 

Found near London. 

Mas. Corpus sublineare, nitens, scitissime squameum, parce hirtum: ca- 
put transversum, breve convexum, juxta thoraci latum: antenne filiformes, 
latze, pilis longis vestitee, corpore paullo breviores ; articulus 1"* longiovatus, 
latus ; 2"5 longicyathiformis; 3"° brevis; 4"° et sequentes fusiformes, usque 
ad 6"™ curtantes; clava longifusiformis, acuminata, articulo 6° duplo longior: 
thorax ovatus, convexus: prothorax brevissimus, supra vix conspicuus: me- 
sothoracis scutum latitudine longius; parapsidum suture bene determinate ; 
scutellum breviconicum: metathorax mediocris, transversus: petiolus bre- 
vissimus: abdomen sublineare, planum, thorace angustius non brevius: 
pedes graciles: proalz late; nervus ulnaris humerali longior, radialis vix 
ullus, cubitalis sat longus. 

Sp. 72. Cirr. Rhode, Mas. Viridis, abdomen cupreum, antenneé nigre@; 

pedes piceo-fulvi, femora viridia, tarsi flavi, ale limpide. 

Viridis: oculi et ocelli rufi: antennz nigre, articuli 1"% et 2"* nigro-vi- 


80 Mr. Walker on the British Chalcidites. 


rides: abdomen nigro-cupreum : cox virides; trochanteres picei ; femora 
viridia, apice flava; genua fulva; tibiae fulve; tarsi flavi, apice fusci ; me- 
sotibize apice piceze; metatibiz piceze, basi fulvee; protarsi fulvi: ale lim- 
pide ; squamule picee; nervi fusci. (Corp. long. lin. 3—%; alar. lin. 14 
—1 4.) ' 

Var. @.—Obscure zneo-viridis : pedes flavi; coxe nigro-virides ; femora 
nigro-picea ; tibiz fuscze, apice et basi flavee; tarsi apice fusci; propedes 
tibiis et tarsis fulvis. 

Found near London. 

Mas. Corpus breve, Jatum, sublineare, nitens, scitissime squameum, parce 
hirtum : caput transversum, breve convexum, juxta thoraci latum: antenne 
filiformes, late, pilis longis vestitee, corpore non breviores; articulus 1" 
longiovatus latus; 2"* longicyathiformis; 3"° brevis; 4"% et sequentes fusi- 
formes, usque ad 6"™ curtantes ; clava longifusiformis, acuminata, articulo 
6° duplo longior: thorax ovatus, convexus: prothorax brevissimus, supra 
vix conspicuus: mesothoracis scutum latitudine longius; parapsidum su- 
ture bene determinate; scutellum breviconicum: metathorax mediocris, 
transversus: petiolus brevissimus: abdomen sublineare, planum, thorace 
brevius vix angustius: pedes graciles; proalze late ; nervus ulnaris hume- 
rali longior, radialis vix ullus, cubitalis sat longus. 


Sp. 73. Cirr. Clito, Mas. Nigro-viridis, abdomen cupreum, antenne 

picee, pedes nigri, tarsi flavi, ule limpide. 

Nigro-viridis: oculi et ocelli rufi: antenne picez ; articuli 1"* et 2"5 ni- 
gro-virides: abdomen nigro-cupreum: pedes nigri; trochanteres flavi ; 
genua flava; tarsi flavi, apice fulvi; propedes tibiis tarsisque fulvis: alz 
limpidz ; squamulz fusce ; proalis nervi fulvi, metalis flavi. (Corp. long. 
lin. 3; alar. lin. 1.) 

July; near London. 

Fem. Corpus sublineare, nitens, scitissime squameum, parce hirtum: 
caput transversum, breve, convexum, juxta thoraci latum; vertex sat latus ; 
frons abrupte declivis: oculi mediocres: antenne graciles, extrorsum cras- 
siores, corporis dimidio paullo longiores; articulus 1"* sublinearis, gracilis; 
2"s longicyathiformis; 3° et sequentes ad 5¥™ curtantes; clava longiovata, 
acuminata, articulo 5° multo longior: thorax ovatus, convexus: prothorax 
transversus, brevis: mesothoracis scutum latitudine longius, linea per me- 
dium; parapsidum suture remote, bene determinate ; scutellum obconicum: 
metathorax mediocris: petiolus brevissimus: abdomen longiovatum, de- 
pressum, acuminatum, thorace paullo longius vix latius; segmenta transversa, 
subzequalia: pedes graciles, simplices; tarsis articuli 1° ad 3%™ curtantes, 
4"s naullo longior ; ungues et pulvilli parvi: ale vix ciliatee; nervus ulnaris 
humerali longior, radialis brevissimus, cubitalis sat longus apice stigma mi- 
nutum fere bimucronatum fingens. 


Sp. 74. Cirr. charoba, Fem. Cyaneo-viridis, abdomen cupreum, antenne 
fulve, pedes flavi, ale subflave. 

Cyaneo-viridis, zeneo-varius: oculi et ocelli rufi: antennz fulve ; arti- 

culi 18 et 2°* virides, hic apice fulvus: abdomen viridi-cupreum: pedes 


zl 


Mr. Walker on the British Chalcidites. 31 


leete flavi; coxze virides; tarsi apice fusci; protarsi fulvi: ale flavescentes ; 
squamule flave ; nervi flavi. 
July ; near London. 


Genus MiscocasterR, Walker. 

Mas. Corpus sublineare, convexum, nitens, scitissime squameum, parce 
hirtum, caput transversum, breve convexum, thorace paullo latius; vertex 
latus ; frons abrupte declivis : oculi mediocres, non extantes: antenne fili- 
formes, corpore breviores; articulus 1" gracilis, sublinearis; 2"* brevis ; 
3's et 4"§ minimi; 5"* et sequentes lineares, usque ad 10¥™ curtantes; clava 
linearis, apice acuminata, articulo 10° duplo longior: thorax longiovatus ; 
prothorax transversus, brevissimus : mesothoracis scutum longitudine latius ; 
parapsidum suture bene determinate ; scutellum obconicum: metathorax 
sat magnus, declivis, postice angustior: petiolus brevissimus : abdomen sub- 
lineare, breve planum, thorace paullo brevius et angustius ; segmentum 1¥™ 
magnum; 2¥™ et sequentia brevia: pedes simplices, subzequales ; ale me- 
diocres; nervus humeralis ulnari fere duplo longior, radialis ulnari longior, 
cubitalis ulnari multo brevior; stigma minutum. , 


Sp. 1. Misc. Dryops, Mas. Cyanea cupreo et viridi varia, antenn@ ni- 

gre, pedes luteo-fulvi, femora fusca, ale limpide. 

Cyanea, viridi-varia: oculi et ocelli rufi: antenne nigre; articuli 1s et 
2s virides: abdominis discus cupreus: pedes lutei; coxe virides; trochan- 
teres fusco maculati; femora fusca, apice subtus lutea; tibiee fulve; tarsi 
apice fusci; propedum tibiz lutez, tarsi fulvi: ale limpide; squamule 
picez ; nervi proalis fusci, metalis flavi. (Corp. long. lin. 14; alar. lin. 24.) 

Found near Edinburgh, by Dr. Greville. 

Mas, M, enee proxima: corpus sublineare, convexum, nitens, scitissime 
squameum, parce hirtum: caput transversum, breve, thoraci latius; vertex 
latus ; frons impressa, abrupte declivis: oculi mediocres, non extantes: an- 
tenne filiformes, corpore breviores; articulus 1" gracilis, sublinearis; 2° 
breviovatus ; 3° et 4"° minimi; 5" et sequentes lineares, usque ad 10¥™ cur- 
tantes ; clava sublinearis, apice acuminata, articulo 10° fere duplo longior ; 
thorax longiovatus : prothorax transversus, brevis antice angustior: meso- 
thoracis scutum longitudine paullo latius ; parapsidum suture bene determi- 
nate ; scutellum fere conicum: metathorax sat magnus, declivis postice 
angustior: petiolus brevis: abdomen sublineare, breve, planum, thorace 
brevius et angustius; segmentum 1°™ magnum ; 2¥™ et sequentia breviora ; 
sexualia exerta: pedes simplices, subaequales: alz sat magnz ; nervus hu- 
meralis ulnari duplo longior, ulnaris radiali brevior, cubitali paullo longior ; 
stigma parvum. 


Sp. 2. Misc. Gelanor, Mas. Cyaneo-viridis, abdomen cupreo-varium, an- 
tenne nigre@, pedes luteo-fulvi, femora fusca, ale limpide. 

Cyaneo-viridis: oculi et ocelli rufi: antennz nigra, articuli 1"° et 2" vi- 
rides: abdominis discus cupreo-varius: pedes fulvi; coxze virides; tro- 
chanteres fusci; femora supra fusca; genua lutea; protibie lutee ; meso- 
et metatarsi apice fusci: alz limpidz: squamule picez ; nervi proalis picei, 
metalis fulvi. (Corp. long. lin. 14; alar. lin. 24) 

Found near Edinburgh, by Dr. Greville. 


32 Mr. Walker on the British Chalcidites. 


Mas. M. Dirci proxima: corpus crassum, breve, convexum, nitens, scitis- 
sime squameum, parce hirtum: caput transversum, breve, thorace latius; ver- 
tex latus; frons abrupte declivis, vix impressa: oculi mediocres, non extantes: 
ocelli approximati: antenne valide, extrorsum crassiores, thorace paullo 
breviores; articulus 1"* gracilis, subarcuatus, fere linearis; 2"* longicya- 
thiformis; 3"° et 4" minimi; 5"° et sequentes approximati, usque ad 10¥™ 
curtantes ; clava fusiformis, articulo 10° plus duplo longior: thorax brevi- 
ovatus, altus: prothorax brevissimus: mesothoracis scutum longitudine 
multo latius ; parapsidum suture non bene determinate; paraptera et epi- 
mera magna; scutellum breviovatum, prominens: metathorax obconicus, 
declivis: petiolus brevis: abdomen longiovatum, convexum, breve, thorace 
brevius et angustius ; segmentum 1"™ magnum; 2"™ breve; 3"™ longius ; 
44um adhuc longius; 5°" et 6% minima: pedes graciles, simplices, sub- 
zequales; mesofemora subtus unisetigera: ale mediocres ; nervus humeralis 
ulnari plus duplo longior, cubitalis ulnari vix longior radiali multo brevior : 
stigma parvum, ramulum emittens perbrevem. 


Sp. 3. Mise. Sopolis, Mas. neo-viridis, caput cyaneo-viride, antenne 
nigra, pedes picei, femora viridia, tarsi flavi, ale limpide. 
fEneo-viridis: caput cyaneo-viride: oculi et ocelli rufi: antenne nigree ; 
articuli 1"* et 2"° virides, ille basi fulvus: abdomen viride, zeneo-varium : 
pedes virides ; trochanteres picei; genua fulva ; tibie picez ; protarsi picel ; 
meso- et metatarsi flavi, apice fusci: ale limpide; squamule pice; nervi 
proalis picei, metalis fulvi. (Corp. long. lin. 14; alar. lin. 2}.) 
Found near Edinburgh, by Dr. Greville. 
Genus Gastrancistrus, Westwood. 

Mas. G. compresso proxima: corpus breve, convexum, nitens, scitissime 
squameum, parce hirtum: caput transversum, breve, thorace latius; vertex 
latus; frons abrupte declivis : oculi mediocres, non extantes: antenne gra- 
siles, submoniliformes, corporis dimidio multo longiores; articulus 1" gra- 
cilis, sublinearis; 2% brevis; 3°° et 4° minimi; 5"* et sequentes discreti, 
usque ad 10¥™ curtantes ; clava fusiformis, acuminata, articulo 10° plus du- 
plo longior: thorax ovatus, crassus: prothorax brevissimus, supra vix con- 
spicuus : mesothoracis scutum longitudine latius; parapsidum suture bene 
determinatz : scutellum magnum, subovatuin: metathorax transversus, bre- 
vis: petiolus brevissimus: abdomen lineare, depressum, subcompressum, 
leve, thorace brevius et multo angustius: pedes simplices, subzequales: alze 
mediscres ; nervus humeralis ulnari fere duplo longior, radialis ulnari paullo 
brevior, cubitali longior ; stigma minutum. . 


Sp. 1. Gast. Acontes, Mas. neo-viridis, abdomen cupreo-purpureum, 
antenne fulve, pedes flavi, ale limpide. 

. Viridis, zeneo-varius: oculi et ocelli rufi: antenne fulve; articuli 1"* 

apice 2"Sque basi obscuriores: abdomen cupreo-purpureum, basi viride : 

pedes flavi; coxze virides ; tarsi apice fusci: ale limpide ; squamule fulve ; 


nervi proalis fulvi, metalis flavi. (Corp. long. lin. $; alar. lin. 4.) 
Found by Dr. Greville near Edinburgh. 


[To be continued. } 


Scientific Expedition to the Antartic Regions. 33 


VIII.—Instructions relative to Botany and Vegetable Phy- 
siology, for the Scientific Expedition to the Antarctic Re- 
gions, prepared by the President and Council of the Royal 
Society*. 

Tux duty of the Botanist should be, to collect specimens and pre- 

serve evidence concerning every department of Botany and Vegetable 

Physiology, not merely in illustration of these subjects as branches 

of science, but with reference to purposes of general utility. 

The vegetation of the Antarctic regions and of the most southern 
countries which the expedition may visit, should be an object of 
especial attention, for however sterile and uninviting a place may 
appear to be, it is most desirable to know exactly what plants those 
regions produce. Here, therefore, and at all other places, as com- 
plete an herbarium as possible should be formed. At Kerguelen’s 
land, of which the Flora is so little known, this is especially neces- 
sary: even at St. Helena, the Cape of Good Hope, and Hobart Town, 
carefully as the botany of these places has been examined, a dried 
collection of plants should be made, especially of the lower orders of 
phenogamous vegetation and of aquatic and submersed plants, 
whether of fresh or salt water. Fungi also, and Rhizanths, should 
be diligently sought for, and all those minute species of cryptogamic 
plants which are parasites. 

Though but little accession to our knowledge of Systematic Bo- 
tany can be anticipated at any of the principal stations of the expe- 
dition, many new and interesting facts may be collected in Physio- 
logical Botany, if anomalous forms of vegetation be examined, as 
concerning these so little that is positive has as yet been ascertained 
in foreign countries. Collections should be made of the stems of Ca- 
suarinas, Urticaceous trees, and of twining woody plants, the internal 
structure of which is frequently at variance with the ordinary plan 
of vegetable formation. Diligent search should also be made for 
cases of the occurrence of the embryo buds of Dutrochet. It is 
probable that attention skilfully directed to these last productions 
will throw light upon some of the most obscure points of Vegetable 
Physiology. Most of the specimens of this kind may be preserved 
in a dry state; but as some will require to be kept moist, it is re- 

* The President and Council having been informed by the Lords Commissioners 
of the Admiralty that it had been determined, in conformity with their recom- 
mendation, to send out Captain James C. Ross on an Antarctic Expedition for 
scientific objects, and having been requested to communicate any suggestions upon 
subjects to which they might wish his attention to be called, referred the consi- 


deration of each to distinct Committees. We have selected those reports which 
are connected with the subject of our Journal.—Ep. shay 


Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.4. No.21. Sept. 1839. D 


34 Instructions for the Scientific Expedition 


quisite, for this purpose, that the Botanist should be supplied with 
bottles, jars, acetic acid and spirit. 

Attention should be especially directed to the distribution of re- 
markable species in each country, regard being paid, in particular, to 
the elevations at which they are found, and the soils which they seem 
to prefer, where preference is observable. Connected with this topic 
are the limits to which cultivated plants extend, and the circum- 
stances under which they succeed or fail. In noting points of this 
nature, facts concerning the commoner species will be interesting, 
because they are so frequently neglected, and because of the evi- 
dence as to climate which they may be expected to afford. In the 
absence of this kind of knowledge, it is difficult for persons here to 
judge correctly respecting the kind of plants it may be desirable to in- 
troduce into another country. Should the causes of failure or of suc- 
cess in the cultivation of particular plants be apparent, they ought 
tobe noted down. As an instance of the importance of this branch 
of inquiry, the Vine at the Cape of Good Hope may be mentioned : 
the bad quality of Cape wine, with the exception of that produced 
at the farm of Constantia, is well known: can any physical cause be 
assigned for this circumstance? If exotic plants are commonly cul- 
tivated with apparent success, they should receive particular notice ; 
European Oaks, for example, are common about Cape Town, where 
they are planted for their shade; the species to which they belong, 
and the effect of that climate upon their growth, and the quality of 
their timber, are points deserving of attention. 

The original Flora of St. Helena should be fully investigated 
and carefully distinguished from that which has been gradually 
formed there by the introduction of numerous plants from various 
countries. The association of plants in this island will be found 
extremely curious, and the circumstances which enable species of 
very different habits to flourish equally well in the same place, not- 
withstanding their constitutional diversity, are deserving of particu- 
lar attention. A very detailed catalogue should be formed of these 
exotics, the degree in which they are affected by their new country 
should be observed, and an attempt be made to discover the causes 
which are favourable to the maintenance of so singularly mixed a 
vegetation in so small an island. Such a catalogue, if well prepared, 
may be expected to illustrate many difficult and important questions 
which are connected with the relation borne by vegetation to cli- 
mate. 

Both at St. Helena and Hobart Town, Tree Ferns will be found: 
those in the former place have the stems destitute of external fibres 


to the Antarctic Regions. 35 


except near the ground, while the Tree Ferns of Hobart ‘Town are 
thickly covered with similar fibres from the very summit. The origin 
of these fibres and the circumstances under which they are produced, 
are unknown, and should, if possible, be determined; indeed, the 
manner of growth of these plants in all other particulars is an in- 
teresting subject for careful investigation, as are also the circum- 
stances under which this tropical form of vegetation is produced 
upon Mount Wellington. In the event of the expedition visiting 
the southern part of New Zealand, it should also be ascertained 
under what conditions the Tree Ferns that exist there extend so far 
beyond the usual geographical limits of such trees, and also whether 
they are not accompanied by other forms of an equally tropical 
character. . 

The northern coast of Van Diemen’s Land being in many re- 
spects clothed with a different vegetation from the south side, it is 
desirable to notice the peculiarities of each. At Emu Bay, there 
exists the Gunnia australis, an orchidaceous epiphyte, which is far 
to the southward of the general range of plants of that kind. It 
will probably be found that this apparent exception to general rules 
is dependent upon some local peculiarity of climate.. Possibly other 
species with similar habits occur on the same line of coast; they 
should be sought for, and particular attention should be paid to the 
plants with which the orchidaceous epiphytes are associated. 

A principal object of inquiry should be, plants yielding useful 
products of all kinds. It is in this way only that the resources of 
foreign countries can be ascertained, and it is presumed that in an 
expedition which will be stationary for considerable periods of time, 
such inquiries can be easily made. Under the head of useful 
products the following may be particularly mentioned : 

1. Dietetical, medicinal, and poisonous agents of all kinds. The 
nature and action of the poisons employed by the natives of many 
countries are but slightly known. 

2. Dye stuffs. Attention should be paid, especially to obtain 
Lichens, as substitutes for the Roccella tinctoria, now becoming scarce, 
and consequently very valuable in European commerce. The fitness 
of these plants for this purpose may be approximately ascertained 
by Hellot’s lichen test, which is as follows: digest the lichen at 
a temperature of 130° fF. for a few hours, in a weak solution of am- 
monia, but sufficiently strong to be tolerably pungent. One that is 
fit for the dyer will yield a rich violet red liquid. 

3. Astringent substances adapted for tanning. It is desirable to 
ascertain with accuracy the source of the various astringent extracts 

D2 


36 Instructions for the Scientific Expedition 


imported from New Holland and the neighbouring parts, and which 
are employed by the tanners of this country. 

4. Fibres adapted for cordage and weaving. Substitutes for Hemp 
are very desirable. Great strength, flexibility and freedom from 
injurious influence in working are three essential qualities of good 
hemp. 

5. Information respecting the source of many of the ornamental 
woods imported from the southern hemisphere is very imperfect. 
It is desirable, therefore, that inquiries be made on this subject as 
well as for new kinds of wood. 

6. Gums, resins, volatile oils, fecula. Especially the source of 
some resins brought to this country from New Holland, and which 
are analogous in some properties to the yellow resin of that country. 

In forming collections of such objects, especial care must be taken 
when collected to number alike both the products and the plants 
by which they are furnished, and to note whatever can be learned 
concerning them, more particularly with regard to their abundance 
and the facility with which they can be procured. It is also ne- 
cessary that the observations made by the Botanist himself should 
be carefully distinguished from such information as he may receive 
from other persons. 

No opportunity is to be lost of collecting information respecting 
the source and mode of preparation of any vegetable substances 
known in commerce; for many exotic products, even those with 
which we are most familiar, have many points connected with their 
natural history deserving attention. 

The vegetation of South Shetland cannot be expected to furnish 
much that can be made available for purposes of commerce, except 
Lichens. With respect to these plants, however, it is possible that 
species fit for the purposes of the dyer may be found in those 
southern latitudes; and if such should prove to be the case, an 
additional source of profit may become available for the South- 


sea traders. 
Where the native names of useful plants can be correctly ascer- 


tained, they should be preserved; but care must be taken to avoid 
error in this respect. Implicit credit must not be given to the 
statements of individual natives; it is only by comparing the sepa- 
rate evidence of different persons, that correctness can be expected. 

Collections should be formed of the seeds and bulbs of useful and 
ornamental plants wherever opportunities occur, and they should be 
forwarded to Europe from time to time. It is also recommended 
that duplicate collections be transmitted to the Supreme Govern- 


to the Antarctic Regions. 37 


ment at Calcutta for distribution among the botanical gardens 
of India. In packing these collections, the best method is to en- 
close each kind of seed in separate packets of brown paper, which 
should be placed loosely in canvas bags, or in boxes with holes in their 
sides, and arrangements should be made for their being transmitted 
in a cabin, or some well-ventilated part of the ship. Among those 
seeds which it is more particularly desirable to procure, may be 
mentioned the arborescent Composite of St. Helena, and the na- 
tive Coniferous plants of all countries, particularly the Phyllocladus 
or Celery-leaved Pine, and the various species of Athrotaxis inhabit- 
ing the mountains of Van Diemen’s Land. As the seeds of such 
plants are apt to suffer from long keeping, and as other instances 
may occur when it would be desirable to send home young plants 
instead of seeds, it would be advisable that the expedition should 
be supplied with one of Mr. Ward’s glazed cases, to be used if oc- 
casion should arise. 

Light is an agent which operates so powerfully upon plants, de- 
termining the amount and even nature of their secretions, and in- 
fluencing in the most essential manner their vital actions, that it 
would be most interesting to obtain, if possible, some good pho- 
tometrical observations. ‘The extreme and mean temperatures of 
the atmosphere, its humidity, the quantity of rain, and the tempera- 
ture of the earth immediately below and within a few feet of the 
surface, have also a direct and important bearing upon Vegetable 
Physiology, especially when considered with respect to the distri- 
bution of plants, and the arts of cultivation. Observations upon all 
such points tend to explain the connexion which exists between 
vegetation and climate, and should be introduced by the Botanist 
into his report, notwithstanding that they also occur in the Meteoro- 
logical Journal. 

If the observations here recommended be briefly noted in a ta- 
bular form, and at the time that they are made, the registration 
of much useful matter which might otherwise escape recollection, 
will be secured, and a valuable document formed for future reference. 

In conclusion, the Council most particularly recommend that 
the Botanist to the expedition be directed to number all the objects 
collected by him in one consecutive series; that the dried speci- 
mens, seeds, woods, and productions of all kinds, shall correspond 
in number with the plants producing them; and that two complete 
collections be prepared for Government, of which one shall be for 
incorporation with the general collections belonging to the public, 
and the other be preserved separately, to illustrate the botany, &c., 


38 Instructions for the Scientific Expedition 


of the expedition. The Council also recommend that both these 
collections be delivered up within six months after the return of the 
expedition ; and, finally, that a report upon the botanical results of 
the expedition be furnished to Government within six months after 
its return, every plant or object mentioned in the report bearing 
the number of the specimens in the collections to be delivered up 
as above recommended. 


Zoology and Animal Physiology. 


1. Marrne INVERTEBRATA. 
THE animals which it is desirable to preserve, and which may first 
present themselves to the notice of the naturalist in the present ex- 
pedition, are the floating marine Mollusca and Crustacea, and those 
which inhabit the Sargazzo or Gulph-weed. | 

With respect to the Mollusca, all the species of the Cephalopoda 
or Cuttle-fish tribe, and all the Pteropoda or lower organized floating 
Mollusca, should be preserved. If taken alive they should be allowed 
to die gradually in sea water, by which means they commonly remain 
in a relaxed state, and display more of their natural outward form. 
When dead they should be soaked for a short time in fresh water, 
and then put into spirit; or if transparent, in the saline solution*, 
to prevent decomposition, which otherwise rapidly takes place. 

To each specimen should be attached a number, stamped on sheet 
tin, corresponding to the entry-number in the Catalogue, in which 
should be noticed the kind of locomotion, or other vital phenomena, 
and the colour of the living animal, the latter being speedily altered 
or lost in the preserving liquor. The larger Crustacea will be liable 
to become putrid in spirit, unless the soft mass, which fills a large 
portion of the body, consisting of the liver, &c. be removed. Each 
specimen of this class, excepting the very minute ones, which will 
be best preserved in small phials or glass tubes, should be wrapt in 
a piece of very soft, thin linen or cotton cloth, to prevent the legs 
from being intermixed or lost, as they are very likely to fall off after 
having been a short time in spirit. 

A very important object of investigation is the development of the 
Crustacea, from the earliest period at which they can be observed to 
the perfect state. ‘They may be readily examined even before they 
leave the egg, by opening the egg under a single microscope. 


* Common alti... ssescavcovaustuccdvetessadd 1 part 
AYO bs scdccsunctdachues (phe roekedinceuies 2 parts 
Boiling water i. ccesees ous thekesbociveasaes 10 parts. 


Filter the solution when cold. 


to the Antarctic Regions. 39 


Drawings of these changes are very desirable, and when practicable 
the eggs and young ones in different stages should be preserved in 
spirit in short glass tubes. The smaller oceanic Crustacea offer a 
prolific and hitherto unexplored field of investigation. 

Among the floating Mollusca likely to be met with in the tropical 
latitudes is the Spirula, a small Cephalopod with a chambered shell. 
An entire specimen of this rare Mollusk is a great desideratum ; and 
if it should be captured alive, its movements should be watched in a 
vessel of sea water, with reference more especially to the power of 
rising and sinking at will, and the position of the shell during those 
actions. 

The chambered part of the shell should be opened under water, 
in order to determine if it contain a gas; the nature of this gas 
should likewise, if possible, be ascertained. As a part of the shell 
of the Spirula projects externally at the posterior part of the animal, 
this. part should be laid open in the living Spirula, in order to ascer- 
tain how far such mutilation would affect its power of rising or 
sinking in the water. In the event of a living Pearly Nautilus (Nau- 
tilus Pompilius) being captured, the same observations and experi- 
ments should be made on that species, in which they would be at- 
tended with more precision and facility, as the species is much larger 
than the Spiruda, and its shell external. The towing-net should be 
kept overboard at all practicable periods, and drawn up and examined 
at stated intervals, as some of the rarest marine animals have been 
taken by thus sweeping the surface of the sea. 

A sketch or drawing of Molluscous and Radiate animals, of which 
the form and colour are liable to be materially altered by death, or 
when put in spirit, will aid materially in rendering the description 
of the species useful and intelligible. ‘The Echinodermata and As- 
terias echinus, and similar forms, should be soaked in fresh water 
previously to their being put into spirit. 

Care must be taken not to crowd too many soft-bodied Inverte- 
brata in the same bottle, and to change the spirit or preserving liquor 
at least once, if not oftener. 


2. Fisuxs. 

The mode and speed of swimming, living colour, temperature, 
and any other peculiarity, should be noticed before placing the spe- 
cimen in spirit. 

In very large specimens of the Shark or Ray kind, a section of the 
jaws, with a part of the vertebral column, should always be pre- 
served as wet preparations, and the remainder of the jaws and ver- 


40 Instructions for the Scientific Expedition 


tebral column in a dry state. The eyes, eyelids, and part of the 
surrounding skin should be preserved in the saline solution. In less 
bulky specimens the entire head should be taken off by dividing the 
fish below the heart across the upper part of the liver, by which 
means the mouths of the oviducts, if it be a female, the heart, gills, 
and head are all preserved together. 

The tail of a Shark may be taken off a little below the anus, and 
the trunk alone preserved for examination. If the trunk be too large, 
it should be cut through above the pelvis, and the parts contained 
in the hinder portion, as the claspers of the male, should be pre- 
served in spirit. If the specimen be a female, separate the two ovi- 
ducts through their whole length, where they run along the abdo- 
men, on each side of the spine, but keep them attached to the cloaca 
and its surrounding parts. 

If with young, or eggs, take the whole out in the same way with- 
out opening the oviducts. 

The heads of all fishes should be preserved, when the itary 
are too large to be preserved entire. 

All external parasites, and those which infest the gills of fishes, 
should be preserved. The alimentary canal should, in all cases, be 
examined for the presence of the entozoa, which, if adherent to the 
coats of the intestine, should be preserved with the part to which 
they are attached. One of the most interesting fishes of the South- 
ern Seas is the Port Jackson Shark (Cestracton Philippi). Mode- 
rate sized specimens of this species should be preserved entire: and 
the head, vertebree, with the dorsal spines, viscera, and especially 
the impregnated oviduct, should be preserved. ‘The Southern Chi- 
mera (Callorhynchus antarcticus) merits also the especial attention 
of the Naturalist, and the same specimens of this species should be 
preserved as of the Cestracion. | 


3. REPTILES. 

Specimens of Turtle should be carefully examined for parasitic 
animals; a curious Barnacle (Chelonobia) and a Leech (Hirudo 
branchiata) are occasionally found adhering to these marine Reptilia. 

In the event of the expedition touching at the Galapagos Islands, 
- specimens of Amblyrhynchus, a lizard of marine habits, should be 
secured, and the particular locality of the capture noted. 


4. Birps, 
_ The Chionis or Sheath-bill of the Falkland Islands and Cape Horn. 
The Great Penguin (Aptenodytes). 
The Penguin of the Isle San Lorenzo. 


to the Antarctic Regions. 4b 


Of these rare and desirable birds, besides the prepared skins, the 
entire body should be preserved in spirits for anatomical purposes. 
The young of the Great Penguin, and the eggs at different stages 
of incubation, should likewise be similarly preserved. 


5. MamMMALIA. 

The skulls, skeletons, and viscera of a specimen of each species of 
the Cetacea of the Southern Ocean are worthy of being preserved. 
With respect to the Sperm Whale, an entire foetus, or, if of large 
size, the brain, eyes, pharynx, larynx, and blow-holes, and the vis- 
cera; a part of the impregnated uterus; the ovaria, and a portion of 
the membrane of the foetus; are all parts worthy of preservation. 

The same observations apply to the great Elephant-Seals (Phoca 
(Cystophora) proboscidea) ; of which the skull and skeleton of both 
male and female are very desirable. 

The skulls or skeletons of all the species of the Southern Seals 
should be preserved, the sex being noted. 


6. In Particutar Recions. 

In Australia or Van Diemen’s Land the following species are more 
especially worthy of attention. 

Thylacinus Harrisii, Hyena of the Colonists. 

Of this species, the skeletons of male and female, detached skulls, 
an entire specimen in the saline solution for dissection, the viscera, 
and more especially the impregnated uterus, and a young specimen 
for the changes in dentition are particularly desirable ; such speci- 
mens not having been as yet transmitted to the museums of this 
country or on the continent. 

The skeletons, skulls, and female organs of every marsupial qua- 
druped, and of the Ornithorhynchus and Echidna (or Porcupine of 
the Colonists) should be preserved. 

The smaller Mammalia of Australia, whether Marsupial or Rodent, 
should be preserved in spirit, and particular notice taken of their lo- 
cality and habits. 

Among the birds of Australia the Lyre-Pheasant (Menura) would 
be an interesting subject for anatomical investigation. Of this spe- 
cies are wanting the skeletons of a male and female, and of the young 
bird; and the entire body of both sexes in spirit, or the saline solu- 
tion. 

The same with respect to the large-billed Cuckoo (Scythrops), 
and Sea-Partridge (Glareola). 

In New Zealand similar preparations should be obtained of the 
Megapodius, and of the Apteryx australis. 

Ann. Nat. Hist, Vol. 4. No. 21. Sept. 1839. E 


42 Bibliographical Notices. 


With regard to birds it may be observed, that if spirit be injected 
down the windpipe, it will pass through almost the whole body by 
means of the air-cells. In the case of a quadruped preserved in spirit, 
or in the saline solution, it is proper to inject the preserving liquor 
into the abdominal cavity and intestinal canal. 


BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


Supplement to the History of British Fishes. By William Yarrell, 
F.L.S., V.P.Z.S., Illustrated by Wood-cuts. London, Van Voorst, 
8vo. 1839. 


In an early number of the ‘ Magazine of Zoology and Botany,’ 
we noticed the work to which that bearing the title above is a Sup- 
plement, considering it as one well executed in all its departments, and 
of much importance in bringing together our knowledge of a branch 
of the British Fauna which had not been investigated so minutely 
as either the zoology or ornithology ; and moreover we looked upon 
it as a work which was sure to cause the production of much ad- 
ditional information. In the latter prophecy the Supplement before 
us bears ample testimony that we have not been deceived, while it 
also exhibits the zeal of the author in his interesting department, 
and the assiduity with which he is assisted, which is mainly to be 
attributed to the excitement given to our ichthyologists by the in- 
terest of his previous volumes. 

The execution of the Supplement more than equals that of the 
former volumes. Thirty-one figures of fishes are given, besides vig- 
nettes illustrating structure or characters. Among the species the 
greater number are new to our Fauna, the others being improved re- 
presentations of fishes previously illustrated, or taken from speci- 
mens where the former wood-cuts were, for want of better materials, 
copied from drawings or other engravings. In the letter-press se- 
veral mistakes and inadvertencies have been corrected. We trust 
that Mr. Yarrell will continue to collect materials as he has already 
done, and we will yenture to predict that it will not be long before 
they will again swell to an extent even beyond that which he has 
already presented to the public. 

The following may be noticed as occurring among the more im- 
portant corrections and additions to this Supplement :—Couch’s 
Serranus Mr. Yarrell has found to be identical with the Polyprion 
cernuum of Cuv. and Val. An improved figure of the baagmaer or 
Deal fish is given from the representation of Professor Reinhart of 


Bibliographical Notices. 3 43 


Copenhagen, together with extracts from that naturalist’s not easily 
accessible memoir. There is a beautifully cut figure of Crenilabrus 
rupestris, which formed the subject of an interesting paper by Mr. 
Selby in an early number of this periodical, and which (since atten- 
tion has been directed to the species) has been met with on several 
parts of the English and Irish shores. In the paper alluded to ‘ Mag. 
of Zool. and Bot.’ i. p. 137, the third specimen is said to have been 
found on the shore near “ Barncleugh:’” there is no such place, the 
name is a misprint for Bamborough, which we regret to see copied by 
Mr. Yarrell, as well as by foreign writers without blame on their parts, 
and we trust that this notice will tend to correction. The Pomera- 
nian Bream, C. Buggenhaggii, is a fine addition to our Cyprinide, and. 
has been taken in Dagenhambreach, Essex, and by Mr. Thompson 
in the river Logan near Belfast.. Of the very singular genus Hemi- 
ramphus, a fish is represented under the title of H. Europeus, de- 
tected several years since by Mr. Couch of Polpero. In the descrip- 
tion Mr. Yarrell remarks, ‘‘ one question may be hazarded :—Is this 
fish, with its unequally developed jaws, the very young state of our 
common Garfish, Belone vulgaris?’ and we would request our ich- 
thyologists to attend to this query, very interesting and important, 
whether it proves us to have a British member of the genus Hemi- 
ramphus, or that the lengthened jaw is only a peculiar structure in 
another division; and perhaps touching upon another question im- 
mediately suggested by Mr. Yarrell’s surmise,—whether or not the 
Hemiramphi may not be all a young or immature form of this fish, and 
if so what is the use of the elongation of the under jaw at this early 
period ? Among the Salmonide we have a second figure of S. ferox 
from an Irish specimen, authenticating its Irish range. Mr. Yarrell 
also mentions having received specimens of trout weighing 32 and 
34 Ibs. from Lake Wenern, and which are considered identical with the 
British fish. A species of smelt, Osmerus Hebridicus, taken near the 
Isle of Bute, is given as new to Britain and to ichythology. The 
powan of Loch Lomond, and pollan of Loch Neagh, are also now 
figured. Platessa elongata, taken at Stoford, in Bridgewater Bay, is 
described as new to ichthyology. Among the British Sturgeons 
ichthyologists will find interesting employment, and we refer to 
Mr. Yarrell’s finely cut figures of the heads of two, and to his short 
observations for excitement. Hchinorhinus spinosus is a very inter- 
esting addition, but surely there is much difference between Mr. Yar- 
rell’s figure and Dr. Smith’s in the proportion and relative positions 
of the members, and also in the form of the teeth. We judge now 
only from the figures before us. 
E 2 


44 Bibliographical Notices. 


Epicrisis Systematis Mycologici seu Synopsis Hymenomycetum. Elias 
Fries. Upsaliz, 1836—1838. Vol. I. 8vo. 


Twenty years have elapsed since the preparation of the first volume 
of the ‘Systema Mycologicum,’ which appeared in 1821. Nume- 
rous species have since been published by the learned author himself 
in his ‘ Elenchus,’ and in the ‘ Linnea,’ and various new labourers 
have arisen in the mycological field. The author’s intention in the 
present work, of which we have here only the commencement, is to 
give short characters of all the fungi hitherto published or known in 
Herbaria under manuscript names. At the same time he takes the 
opportunity of completely revising the species, correcting errors, im- 
proving the synonyms where needful, and making such alterations 
in the arrangements and such new genera as the very enlarged 
number of species may demand. The difficulty and labour of the 
task can scarcely be fully estimated, except by persons versed in the 
intricacies of the subjects, though some notion perhaps may be formed 
from the fact that the volume, which comprises only the Hymeno- 
mycetes, contains specific characters of nearly 2560 species. The 
number of genera amounts to 65; of these about 28 are either new 
or sectional divisions of different value raised to the rank of genera. 
As it is, the genus Agaricus, after nine dismemberments, some of 
which are very extensive, still comprises 980 species. Of the value of 
the new genera it would be very rash to speak without careful inves- 
tigation. The whole group is so natural that it is exceedingly diffi- 
cult to define genera very nicely, though the species associated are 
evidently allied in a more peculiar degree amongst each other; and 
the characters assigned will be judged sufficient or insufficient ac- 
cording to the notions which individuals attach to the term genera, 
which are confessedly artificial assemblages ; for genera do not exist 
in nature. It is at present uncertain whether the other orders of 
Fungi will be reviewed, as the encouragement to mycological works 
is so small, that even in the case of an author of such superior qua- 
lifications no publisher could be found to undertake the risk. The 
work is therefore published “‘ sumtibus auctoris,’’—a circumstance 
which we hope will be an inducement, not only to mycologists, to 
whom it is indispensable, but to botanists not so immediately inter- 
ested in the subject, to become purchasers. As it was imperative 
upon the author to bring the book out at as little cost as possible, 
he has been obliged to curtail the descriptions as far as is consist- 
ent with clearness, to give only the most important synonyms, and 
to forgo a general index. It is painful to find the author after so 


Bibliographical Notices. 45 


many years of labour expressing himself in such terms as the fol- 
lowing: ‘‘ Mycologia enim referatur ad vilia illa et a plerisque neg- 
lecta studia que nec pecuniam nec honores suis parant cultoribus ; 
sed eo ipso fidos tantum semper habebit, licet paucos, quibus satis 
erit in nature gremio acquiescendo infinitam rerum creatarum varie- 
tatem et artificium admirari.” Sweden however is not singular in 
this respect. Little encouragement is given at home to works on 
Cryptogamic botany, especially on Mycology; and in France, we 
know from the highest authority, that it is regarded as a very infe- 
rior branch of botany. Germany alone appears duly to appreciate its 
value. 


Linnea, ein Journal fiir die Botanik, &c. Vol. XII. Part 6. Vol. XIII. 
Parts 1, 2, 1839. 


[Continued from vol. ii. p. 465.] 


Contributions to the genus Mentha; by A. Rochel.—Supplement- 
ary observations on Papaveracee and Fumariacee; by Prof. Bern- 
hardi.—On the structure of the Flowers of Balsaminee ; by Prof. 
Bernhardi.—Observations on the Hairs in the Air-tubes of Limnan- 
themum and Villarsia ; by Drs. Grisebach and Hoffmann.—Monstro- 
sities of Plants; by Schlechtendal. 


Vol. XII. No. I. 


Anatomical investigation of the reproductive organs of Riccia 
glauca; by Prof. Unger.—On Brasilian Vetches; by Dr. Vogel.— 
On the Liverworts, collected by Beyrich in North America; by 
E. Hampe.—Description of Mount Slavnik and its botanical rarities, 
_ particularly Pedicularis Friederici Augusti; by M. Tommasini.— A 
very interesting account of a Botanical Excursion to the mountainous 
regions between Trieste and Fiume; by the Botanists who accom- 
panied Mr. Forbes in his botanical excursion to the mountains of 
Ternova, of which an account is given in this work, vol. iii. p. 236. 
—Description of a new Pancratium and Gilia; by C. Bouché.—Re- 
marks on American Laurocerasi ; by the Editor.—To the memory of 
Chamisso; by Schlechtendal. 


Vol. XIII. No. 2. 


On Jungermannia Porella, Dick ; by Prof. Schwagrichen.—On the 
origin and development of Botrytis Bassiana and another parasitic 
mould ; by Prof. Crivelli.icOn a curious monstrosity of Hordeum 
Himalayense trifurcatum; by T. Irmisch.—Supplement to the enu- 
meration of Mexican Ferns, collected by Schiede, Ehrenberg, and 


46 Bibliographical Notices. 


others; by Kunze.—On Conyza chilensis, Spreng, and C. diversi- 
folia, Weinw. ; by Weinmann.— Review of a century of Brazilian 
Malpighiacee ; by Dr. Grisebach.—On Mexican Plants collected by 
Schiede, &c.; by Schlechtendal. 


Plantes Cryptogames de France. Par J. B. H. Q. Desmaziéres. 


Of this valuable work three Numbers, 18—20, have appeared 
since our last notice. It would take up too much room to give a 
list of the species, which amount te 150, contained in them; but it 
may truly be said that with every number the interest increases. 


Deutschlands Kryptogamische Giftgewtichse, &e. Von Dr. P. Phoebus. 
Berlin, 1838. 4to. 


This is a continuation of Brandt and Ratzeburg’s account of the 
poisonous plants of Germany. With the exception of the Fungi, the 
cryptogamic plants noticed as possessing deletericus qualities are 
confined to one or two species of Hquisetum and Lycopodium. ‘The 
poisonous fungi are admirably described, with remarkably full syn- 
onyms, and of many of the more common ones there are excellent 
figures, with a very correct analysis. ‘There is a very complete ac- 
count of Ergot beautifully illustrated. We recommend the work 
very highly to the notice of such as wish to become acquainted with 
dangerous Fungi, and to the general cryptogamic student. The price 
is very reasonable. 


Fauna Coleopterorum Helvetica, auctore Oswaldo Heer. Pars I. 
Fasc. I. Turici.—The present first fasciculus contains the Carabide 
and the commencement of the Dytiscide. 


We are glad to learn that the Rev. Dr. Pye Smith’s Congrega- 
tional Lecture on the Relation between the Holy Scriptures and some 
parts of Geological Science is in the press. 


PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. 
BRITISH ASSOCIATION. 
August 26.—J. E. Gray, Esq., V.P., in the Chair. 
Secretaries :—Mr. E. Forbes and Mr. Patterson. 
The first paper read was by Mr. Lankester, on the Formation of 
Woody Tissue, the conclusions in which were opposed to the views, 


supported in this country by Dr. Lindley, of the formation of fibrous 
tissue by descent from the buds and leaves, and contained some in- 


Zoological Society. 47 


teresting observations on what have been termed by Dutrochet 
‘Embryo Buds.’ 

A notice, by Mr. Forbes and Mr. Goodsir, of Zoological Re- 
searches in Orkney and Shetland, the result of a journey made in 
June last, in which twenty-three new species were described, chiefly 
Mollusca, Radiata and Zoophytes, and many new facts stated in re- 
gard to some of the rarer British marine animals. 

A notice, by Dr. Wilde, on Peruvian Mummies ;—and on the 
preservation of Fish. 

A paper on the same subject, by Mr. Lankester, who exhibited 
specimens, well preserved by a very ready and expeditious method. 


ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 


November 13, 1838.—Professor Owen, in the Chair. 

A letter from Alexander Gordon, Esq. was read, begging the 
Society’s acceptance of the animal described by Mr. Waterhouse 
under the name of Myrmecobius fasciatus, and also the Perameles la- 
gotis. Both of these animals, Mr. Gordon stated, were from Swan 
River and not-from Van Diemen’s Land as had been supposed. 

A paper entitled ‘‘ Observations on certain modifications observed 
in the dentition of the Flying Opossums (the genus Petaurus of 
authors),” was communicated by Mr. G. R. Waterhouse. 

**In the ‘ Dents des Mammiferes’ of M. F. Cuvier, the dentition 
of the Flying Opossums and that of the Phalangers is described 
under the two heads ‘ Petaurus’ and ‘ Phalangers proprement dits.’ 
Both the groups termed Petaurus and Phalangers by M. F. Cuvier 
contain certain species of Flying Opossums, and likewise species of 
Phalangers. Those species, however, which have the flank-membrane 
extended from limb to limb, enabling them to sail in the air like a 
parachute, are now with universal consent separated from the Phalan- 
gers (Phalangista), and arranged under the generic title Petaurus or 
Petaurista. 

“In grouping the Phalangers and Petaurists as above mentioned, 
M. F. Cuvier was guided only by the characters offered by the den- 
tition; that of Petaurus Taguanoides certainly bearing a very close 
resemblance to that of Phalangista Cookit. The teeth of Petaurus 
sciureus, however, do not bear so close a resemblance to those of 
Phalangista vulpina and P. maculata, although the three animals 
mentioned are placed in the same division by the author alluded to. 
Regarding the Petauri as a distinct genus from the Phalangers, I 
will proceed to describe their dentition as I find it in the skulls before 
me, which I may observe consist of two specimens of each of the 


48 Zoological Society. 


following species :—P. taguanoides, P. flaviventer, P. sciureus, and 
P. pygmeus, and one skull of a new species hereafter described. 

‘* In these crania three distinct modifications in the dentition are 
observable ; and as they are combined with certain differences in the 
skulls and in the external characters of the animals to which they be- 
long, they may be regarded as forming three subordinate sections, to 
which for convenience I shall apply the names, Petaurus, Belideus, and 
Acrobata. Two of these names will be found in the ‘ Mammologie,’ 
by M. Desmarest. The dentition observable in the species of 
the first of these sections (Petaurus) is as follows :—Incisors- ° 
canines 53 false molars o true molars =3. I am induced to 
call the two first teeth following the incisors canines, since they re- 
present those which are evidently canines in the two next sections. 
The incisors of the upper jaw are arranged laterally, the three on 
either side being placed close together; the two foremost are sepa- 
rated from one another by a space about equal to their diameter ; 
they are narrow at the base, and expanded and somewhat compressed 
above the base. The next incisor on each side is larger than the 
last or posterior one, and about half the height of the first, narrow 
at the base, and wide and truncated at the apex. The third incisor 
is small and but slightly wider at the tip than at the base. The 
canine is very small, being in size about equal to the posterior inci- 
sor ; its tip is rounded, and it springs from the maxilla a little behind 
the intermaxillary suture; the space between it and the canine being 
about equal to twice its diameter or more; for there is a difference in 
this respect in the specimens before me. The first false molar is 
minute and conical, separated by a considerable space from the 
canine and also from the following molars. The next two molars 
on each side I have called false molars, because they do not possess 
the inner tubercles which are observed in those behind ; they are broad 
at the base and compressed at the tip; the foremost presents an an- 
terior larger, and a posterior small compressed tubercle; the third is 
divided at the tip into three compressed points. The true molars are 
nearly square, but rather longer than broad ; the crown of each, with 
the exception of the last, presents four tubercles, with sharp cutting 
edges, and very much resemble those of a Ruminant animal. In the 
last molar there are but three of these tubercles, two in front and one 
behind. The incisors of the lower jaw are large, nearly cylindrical 
at the base; beyond this they are somewhat dilated, flattened, 
pointed, and have two sharp edges. There are no minute detached 
false molars in the lower jaw. ‘The single false molar on each side 
is placed close to the true molars, compressed in front and expanded 


Loological Society. 49 


behind; a small anterior tubercle is separated from the body of the 
tooth by a sli ht transverse incision. ‘The true molars resemble 
those.of the upper jaw, excepting that they are narrower, and the 
last molar has four tubercles instead of three. 

** The above description is taken from P. Taguanoides. The cra- 
nium differs from that of the species of the second section (Belideus), 
in being proportionately smaller, more contracted, and deeply con- 
cave between the orbits; the cranial cavity is smaller, the zygoma- 
tic arches deeper, and the bony palate is deeply emarginated poste- 
riorly ; in fact, the palatine portion of the palatine bone is wanting. 
The dense woolly fur on the outer side of the ears will serve to dis- 
tinguish the animal externally from either of the species of the next 
subgenus. P. macrourus I suspect belongs also to this section. In 
M. F. Cuvier’s ‘ Dents des Mammiféres,’ it is stated, that besides the 
false molars described by me there are two others on each side, 
which are small ;—these I have not seen, nor are they shown in the 
plate of the work quoted. Perhaps they are shed at an early pe- 
riod, or perhaps M. Cuvier may have described the dentition of 
Phalangista Cookii and figured that of Petaurus Taguanoides. 


: : at , 6 , ee | 
** Section 2. Belideus.—Dentition: Incisors, g; canines, 5; false 


: =; true moiars, —= 40. The anterior incisors of the 
upper jaw are large, somewhat suddenly dilated immediately above 
their insertion in the intermaxillaries, and assuming a triangular 
form. In P. flaviventer they are broader than in either P. sciureus or 
the new species here described under the specific name of breviceps, 
where these incisors are proportionately shorter, and perhaps a little 
broader than in P. sciureus. The next incisor on each side is smaller 
than the posterior one, narrow at the base, and broad at the apex. 
The third incisor is broad, and has a sharp incurved cutting edge. 
The canine is tolerably large, and has its origin close behind the in- 
termaxillary suture; in fact, is in the usual situation of the canine. 
It is separated by a small space on either side from the false molars 
and the incisors, compressed and pointed, and its anterior and posterior 
edges are sharp. The apex projects beyond the level of either of 
the molars. The first false molar on each side is rather large, broad, 
compressed and pointed, has a very faint indication of an anterior 
and posterior lobe, and two distinct fangs (which is not the case in 
the small and cylindrical corresponding tooth in Petaurus Tagua- 
noides). ‘The second false molar is small, short, and compressed, 
and has a minute anterior lobe. This tooth is separated by a con- 
siderable space from the first false molar, and by a narrow space from 
the third. The latter touches the first true molar, is narrow in 


molars 


50 Zoological Society. 


front, and consists chiefly of one triangular and pointed tubercle. 
The first true molar on each side is considerably larger than the fol- 
lowing molars, each of which is smaller than the preceding, so that 
the last is not equal in bulk to one half of the first. With the ex- 
ception of the last, all the true molars possess four somewhat blunt 
and rounded tubercles, and in general appearance very much resem- 
ble the corresponding teeth of a Squirrel. ‘The last molar has but 
three tubercles, two in front and one behind. 

*« The incisors of the lower jaw are long, compressed, and pointed, 
and have the upper and lower edges sharp ; they are almost horizon- 
tal in their direction, being but slightly curved upwards. Next 
follows a series of four small teeth on each side, which I have called 
false molars, though possibly the last only is properly so called, that 
having two fangs, whereas the others appear to have but one. The 
true molars nearly resemble those of the upper jaw, though they 
are narrower and longer. The first has a large irregular anterior 
lobe, which is higher than the posterior portion of the tooth, which 
is divided into two tubercles. The three posterior molars have each 
four tubercles. 

‘* Besides the points of distinction already alluded to between the 
species of the present section and the preceding, there are other 
characters which cannot be considered unimportant. ‘The space 
occupied by the grinding teeth of the upper jaw, compared with the 
space between the last incisor and the first true molar in the species of 
Belideus, is much less than in Petaurus. In Belideus the molars oc- 
cupy a space equal to rather more than two-thirds of that between the 
incisors and first true molar; whereas in Petaurus, the four last 
molars occupy more space than that which extends from them to 
the incisors. There is a corresponding difference in the lower jaw. 
In Petaurus the molars are very nearly equal in size, whereas in Beli- 
deus they decrease considerably from the first molar to the last. In 
Petaurus, again, there are five molars on each side of the lower jaw 
opposed to six in the upper jaw, all of which are fitted for the masti- 
cation of the food; whilst in Belideus the molar corresponding to 
the first on either side of each jaw in Petaurus is so small, and its 
crown is so low, that it cannot be used in mastication. The com- 
paratively large size of the canines, and the series of small teeth in 
front of the molars, will also serve to distinguish the species of the 
present section from the preceding, where the upper murgin of the 
ramus of the lower jaw somewhat suddenly descends in front of the 
molars, and the coronoid process is comparatively broad. 

« Petaurus sciureus may be regarded as the type of the section Be- 
lideus, which will also contain P. flaviventer and P. breviceps. 


Zoological Society. 51 


“In the third section, which is the subgenus Acrobata of Des- 


eee ‘ Sint : 33 
marest, the incisors are 3 canines, 5-5; false molars, 4; true mo- 


lars, ee 36. The incisors resemble those of Belideus; the canines 
are well-developed, long, pointed, and recurved, placed close to the 
intermaxillary suture, and even encroaching slightly on the intermax- 
illary bone. The three false molars of the upper jaw have each two 
fangs, they are compressed, sharply pointed, and viewed laterally, of 
a triangular form. The first and second are about equal in size, and 
larger than the third, the apex of which projects beyond the level 
of the crowns of the true molars. Between the first and second false 
molars on each side there is a narrow space; the third is placed 
close to the true molars; these as well as those of the under jaw 
resemble the true molars of Belideus; there is however one less on 
each side of both jaws. ‘The incisors of the lower jaw also resemble 
those in Belideus. Behind these incisors there are two minute teeth 
on each side, which are followed by two sharply pointed false molars, 
the foremost of which is the larger, and the apex of the second is 
raised above the plane of the true molars. 
_ «The difference in the form of the false molar teeth pointed out, 
together with the reduced number of true molars, the slenderness 
the zygomatic arch, and the incurved angle of the lower jaw, 
combined with the imperfect state of the palate, will serve to distin- 
guish the species of the present section from the preceding. Exter- 
nally, the P. pygmaeus (which is the type of M. Desmarest’s sub- 
genus) may be distinguished by its distichous tail. 


Peraurus BREvicEps. P. cinerea, lined dorsali longitudinalh 
membrandque laterali supra nigrescentibus, hac ad latera albd s 
corpore subtus sordidé et pallidé cinereo: caudd gracili, ad 
apicem fuliginosdé ; auribus mediocribus. 


une. lin. 

Longitudo ab apice rostri ad caude basin.... 6 6 
cccampiat SPM ee Osi heehee he ee mS 

Lar st digetOPUmMgMe so sois ie vende Bd 

BORE no bcs kore Saisie 6 we a Herne nee > § 


Habitat New South Wales. 


** This species very much resembles the P. sciureus in colouring ; 
the under parts, however, have a distinct grayish tint: the dark 
mark which extends from the tip of the nose along the back is in- 
distinct. It is of a much smaller size than P. sciureus, the tail is 
much more slender, and occasionally has a white tip. Theskullis 
proportionately broader and shorter than that of P.sciureus, as will be 
seen in the following dimensions.” 


52 Zoological Society. 


P. breviceps. P. sciureus. 
in. lin. in. lin. 
Fotal length ‘of'skull!’..0 oo. obs Bee eer Ee 
Length of nasal bones........ 0 Bs 0 74 
Length of frontal : a... yi. 0. Be ate les ee SS 
Length of palate... ss. chs ss 0.18 eee Oe te 
Widthofakull’.. Ey Pees! ye 


Mr. Waterhouse then proceeded to point out some peculiarities 
in the skull and dentition of the American Badger (Meles Labra- 
doria). Three skulls of this species, belonging to individuals of 
different ages, were exhibited to the Meeting. ‘‘ The most striking 
peculiarity in the skull of the American Badger,” observes Mr. Wa- 
terhouse, “ consists in the great expanse of the occipital region; the 
width of the occiput being equal to that of the skull measured from 
the outer surface of the zygomaticarches. The general form of the 
skull is almost conical ; viewed laterally, the outline of the upper 
surface is most elevated at, or very near the occiput; thence it runs 
downwards with a slightly convex curve to the nasal bones. The 
interorbital portion is considerably contracted, and is narrowest pos- 
teriorly. The occipital crest is well-developed, but the sagittal crest 
is very slightly elevated; in this respect differing from the corre- 
sponding ridge in the Meles vulgaris. 

«The auditory bulle are very large and convex. The articulating 
surface of the temporal bone, or glenoid cavity, like that of the Com- 
mon Badger, has its anterior and posterior process ; these processes, 
however, merely serve to prevent the protrusion or retraction of the 
lower jaw, and not to enclose and lock the condyle as in that animal. 
Comparing the lower jaw with that of the Common Badger, the most 
striking difference consists in the form of the coronoid process. ‘The 
anterior margin of this process is less oblique than in the last-men- 
tioned animal ; its apex is somewhat pointed, whereas in the Common 
Badger it is rounded; the posterior margin is formed of two lines, 
an upper one, running backwards and downwards from the apex of 
the coronoid process, and a lower one, which is perpendicular, and 
forms an obtuse angle with the first. In this form of the coronoid 
process we perceive a similarity between the American Badger and 
the Otter.” 

Dentition.—‘‘ In the number of the teeth the present animal agrees 
with the Common Badger, excepting that in the skulls now before 
me, and which belong to animals of different ages, I do not find the 
molar corresponding to the small first false molar of the lower jaw 
of that animal. In the relative size and form of the teeth there is 
much difference. The incisors of the upper jaw are arranged in an 


Zoological Society. 53 


arch, but form together a segment of a larger circle than those of 
Meles vulgaris ; they are proportionately smaller and shorter. In the’ 
canines there is but little difference ; the posterior cutting edge ob- 
served in the Badger is here almost obliterated. The false molars 
likewise scarcely differ. In the ‘ curnassiére’ and true molar, however, 
there is much difference, the former being of great size and equal to 
the last molar. It is nearly in the form of a right-angled triangle, 
the cutting edge is much raised, and there is a large tubercle on the 
inner lobe of this tooth, which has no analogue in the Badger. The 
true molar is also nearly triangular; the tubercles with which it is 
furnished are but slightly raised, and are much less developed than 
in the corresponding grinding molar of the Badger. The principal 
differences observable in the teeth of the lower jaw, consist in the 
smaller size of the incisors, the larger size of the last false molar, 
and its being furnished with two distinct tubercles at its apex ; that 
of the Common Badger being simply pointed: the smaller size of 
the ‘ carnassiére,’ which is not distinctly dilated posteriorly, as in the 
Badger, and the cutting edge being higher; the true molar is 
smaller. 

** The ‘carnassiére’ of the lower jaw may be dividedintotwoportions, 
that which is opposed to the ‘ carnassitre’ of the upper jaw, and which 
is the cutting portion, having high sharp cusps; and that which is 
opposed to the true molar, which is the grinding portion. Now in 
the Common Badger (Meles vulgaris) the latter portion decidedly 
exceeds the former in bulk, whereas in the American Badger the 
reverse is the case, arising from the comparatively large size of the 
‘carnassiere’ of the upper jaw, and smaller size of the true molar.” 

Mr. Waterhouse also pointed out other distinctions between the 
American Badger and the European species. Independent of the 
differences observable in the colouring and markings, the former 
may be distinguished by its muzzle being hairy at the tip, the fore 
limbs stouter, and the claws larger and stronger. 

The peculiar form of the skull in the present animal, and the mo- 
difications in the dentition are such, as, in Mr. Waterhouse’s opinion, 
would indicate a subgeneric rather than a specific distinction ; and 
should his views be borne out by the discovery of other species 
agreeing essentially with the above animal, he suggested that the 
name Tazidea might be an appropriate title for the group. 


November 27, 1838.—Lieut.-Colonel W. H. Sykes in the Chair. 


Dr. Horsfield laid before the Meeting a series of Mammalia and 
Birds collected in India by John M¢Clelland, Esq., Assistant Sur- 


54 Zoological Society. 


geon E.I.C.S., and proceeded to point out the characters of some 
which were undescribed. 

A paper on the Fishes of the Deccan, illustrated with numerous 
coloured drawings, was read by Colonel Sykes. 

‘* In submitting to the Society an account of the fishes of Dukhun,” 
observes Colonel Sykes, “ it will scarcely excite surprise, that out 
of 46 species described no less than 42 are new to science, since they 
are from a hitherto untrodden field, and from peculiar localities, on 
the great plateau of the Dukhun (Deccan), none of them coming from 
a less elevation than 1500 feet above the sea; many from near 2000 
feet, and others from yet higher situations. The chief features in 
the collection are the paucity of orders to which the collection be- 
longs, and the remarkable prevalence of the members of the families 
of Siluride and Cyprinide. There is but one apodal Malacopterygian, 
but 4 Acanthopterygii, and the whole of the rest of the fish belong 
to the order Abdominal Malacopterygians. Of the families there 
are only eight: Percide, Scombride, ‘Pharyngiens Labyrinthiformes,’ 
Gobiade, Siluride, Cyprinide, Esocide, and Murenide, comprising 
15 genera and 9 subgenera, including one subgenus, which I have 
been compelled to add to the Cyprinide. An attempt has been made 
to methodize and distinguish the multitudinous members of the fa- 
milies of Siluride and Cyprinide. ‘The fact is, the continued inos- 
culation in the character of the teeth, of the cirri, of the spines (ser- 
rated or not) of the fins, the armature of the head, and the position 
of the fins in the Stluride; and the number of cirri, and form and 
position of the fins in the Cyprinide, together with the character of 
the mouth, produce such approximations in species to each other, and - 
in individuals of one genus to another, that not only is there infinite 
difficulty in determining the genera of the fishes of these families, but 
their identity as species is occasionally not less difficult. Some of 
my Siluride do not exactly correspond with the generic characters 
of the genera of this family as now constituted, and I might have 
added to the number of genera; but to this I have an objection, 
unless as an evidently necessary measure. In the Cyprinide, how- 
ever, I was obliged to set aside my repugnance, for three species were 
not referrible to any one even of the numerous subgenera which 
Buchanan Hamilton wished to establish. It only remains to state 
that the whole of my fishes were drawn from absolute measurement, 
and have a scale of size attached to each figure; they were caught 
in the various rivers on whose banks I encamped, as individuals 
were required; so that my draftsman, who worked constantly under 
my own eye, never had to finish his drawings from shriveled and 


Zoological Society. 55 


discoloured specimens. I have to a great extent adopted the names by 
which the fishes are called by the Mahrattas as specific names, so that 
naturalists who travel the country can always.obtain them. 


Ord. ACANTHOPTERYGII. 


Fam. Percide. 
Ambassis, Agass. 

Amb. Barlovi, Sykes. An Ambassis with the two back fins united, 
with the first ray indented on the edge, and containing 7 
spines, and the second 14 spines; all the spines longer 
than the membrane, with 18 rays longer than the membrane 
in the anal fin, and with a short vertically compressed dia- 
phanous body. 

Closely allied to Changa Ranga of Hamilton. ‘Fishes of the 
Ganges.’ This fish is dedicated to our Secretary. 


Fam. Scombridz. 
Mastacembelus, Gron. 

Mast. armatus, Sykes. A Mastacembelus with the fins of the tail, 
back, and vent united, with thirty-nine to forty short sharp 
bony spines along the back, and two behind the vent. 

This fish has not the exact generic characters of Macrognathus, 
Mastacembelus, or Notacanthus, and might probably consti- 
tute a genus between the two last. 


Fam. ‘ Pharyngiens Labyrinthiformes,’ Cuv. 
Ophicephalus, Bloch. 

Oph. leucopunctatus, Sykes. An Ophicephalus with from 51 to 
53 rays in the dorsal, and 6 in each ventral fin, and with the 
rays of the dorsal and anal fins undivided; the pectoral fins 
ending in a central point, and the fish covered with white 
dots. 

I have never known this remarkably fine fish crawl on shore or 
in the grass, as some species of the genus are said todo. It 
is excellent eating. 


Fam. Gobiade. 
Gobius, Linn. 

Gob. Kurpah, Sykes. A Gobius with 7 rays in the first dorsal 
fin, 11 in the second, which is of similar size with the anal 
fin; 19 in the pectoral, and 10 in the anal fin. 

In different individuals of this species I have found the number 
of rays in the fins slightly differ. Of a sweet flavour. 


Ord. Mauacoprgeryeirr ABDOMINALES. 


Fam. Cyprinide. 
Cyprinus, Linn. 

3 Cyp. Abramioides, Sykes. A Cyprinus with 20 rays in the dorsal, 
8 in the anal, and 18 in the pectoral fins, without tendrils, 
with tuberculated nose, red edged fins, and with a red lunule 
on each scale. 

This very fine fish is called Tambra by the natives, from the 


56 Zoological Society. 


general prevalence of a copper colour over it. Attains the 
length of 21 inches and more; height 7 inches. Is excellent 
eating. 
Cyp. Potail, Sykes. 

A Cyprinus proper, deep and fleshy, slightly compressed, with- 
out tendrils, with the dorsal fin of 13 rays, pectoral of 14, 
and anal of 9. Scales large and silvery; length 10 or more 
inches; height 34 inches. 


Cyp. Nukta, Sykes. 

A Cyprinus with two tendrils on the under jaw, and with two 
short horns or bosses on the space between the eyes, which 
together with the ance nines upper lip are tuberculated ; large 
scales. 

In the judgement of my friend Mr. Yarrell, to which I subscribe, 
this very singular fish is considered a monstrosity of Cyp. au- 
ratus. Dr. Riippell, who did me the favour to look over my 
drawings, expresses the same opinion. Found very abun- 
dantly in the Inderanee river 18 miles north of Poona. It is 
called Nukta (or nob) by the Mahratta fishermen. 


Varicorhinus, Riippell. 

Var. Bobree, Sykes. A Varicorhinus with tuberculated nose, 
without tendrils; with 17 rays in the dorsal, and 8 in the 
anal fin; with the form of a tench. 

It may be a question whether this is not a real Labeo of Cuvier, 
with long dorsal, no spines or cirri, and thick fleshy lips fre- 
quently crenated; size 6 inches by 1,5 high. 


Barbus, Cuv. 

Barb. Mussullah, Sykes. A Barbus with 12 rays in the dorsal, 
8 in the anal, and 16 in the pectoral fins, with the mouth 
furnished with 4 very short cirri, and tuberculated nose ; 
sometimes 3 feet and more long, and a foot high, and weigh- 
ing 42 pounds. 

Found in the Goreh river. 

Barb. Khudree, Sykes. A Barbus with 4 cirri, blood-stained fins, 
large hexagonal scales, elongated body, and with 14 rays in 
the dorsal, 14 in the pectoral, and 7 in the anal fins. 

Found in the Mota Mola river, 8 miles east of Poona. 


Barb. Kolus, Sykes. A Barbus with 13 rays in the dorsal fin, 
8 in the anal, and 10 in the ventral; with moderate-sized 
scales; with callous tubercles on the head, and a short cirrus 
at each corner of the mouth. 

This fish shows the difficulty of drawing up generic characters 
to embrace all the species of a genus. Having only 2 cirri, 
it should not be a Barbel; but having cirr? at all, it does not 
belong to the next genus Gobio ;—moreover, it has a spine in 
the dorsal. 

Chondrostoma, Agassiz, the first division of the genus Leuciscus of 
Klein, Dorsal fin in the centre of the back. 


Zoological Society. 57 


Chond. Kawrus, Sykes. A Chondrostoma, without lateral line, 
tubercles, or cirri, with 12 rays in the dorsal, 8 in the anal, 
and 16 in the pectoral fins. 

A sub-cylindrical fish found in the Beema river; grows to a foot 
in length, but is usually smaller. Proportion of length to 
height in one specimen, 6 inches by 1+45 inch. 


Chond. Fulungee, Sykes. A Chondrostoma, with dorsal fin of 
10 rays, anal 6, and pectoral of 10; of an elongated, not 
much compressed shape. Length about a foot; height 4 
inches. 


Chond. Boggut, Sykes. A Chondrostoma, without tendrils or 
tubercles on the nose, with 12 rays in the dorsal, 15 in the 
pectoral, and 8 in the anal fin; body of an elongated form. 
Length from 7 to 11 inches; height 12 to 2 inches. 


Chond. Mullya, Sykes. A Chondrostoma, with a short, obtuse 
head, without tubercles or tendrils; sub-cylindrical body, 
with 11 rays in the dorsal, 14 to 16 in the pectoral, and 8 
in the anal fins; a red process or protuberance on the snout 
between the nostrils. Length 5 to 6 inches; 14 to 2 in 
diameter. 


Chond. Wattanah, Sykes. A Chondrostoma of an elongated form, 
without tubercles or tendrils, with the dorsal fin high, and 
having 11 rays: and 9 or 10 in the ventral, and 8 in the anal 
fin; subcylindrical form. Length 4+ inches, height 4 of an 
inch. 

Found in the Beema river. 


Chela, Buchanan Hamilton. A sub-genus of Leuciscus, with the 
dorsal fin very far behind over the anal; straight back, and 
nose on the level of the line of the back. 


Chel. Balookee, Sykes. A Chela of the size of a minnow; 
back straight; body elongated; dorsal fin situated far back, 
and having 8 rays, 14 rays in the anal, and 12 in the pectoral 
fins. Length 3 inches. 

Very sweet eating, the bones as well as other parts. Common 
in all the rivers. 


Chel. Oweni, Sykes. A Chela,with straight back, elongated and 
vertically compressed body; dorsal fin situated far back, 
with 11 rays, 12 in the pectoral, and 19 in the anal fins, 
with scales so minute as to be scarcely discoverable. Length 
5 inches; greatest size 7 inches. | 

Found in most of the rivers. The Cyprinus Culiratus of Bloch 
would appear to be the type of the sub-genus. 

I have dedicated this fish to my friend Mr. Owen, the distin- 
guished naturalist. 


Chel. Jorah, Sykes. A Chela, with straight back, convex belly, 
dorsal fin far behind; size of a large minnow; with 10 rays 


Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.4. No.21. Sept. 1839. F 


58 Zoological Society. 


in the dorsal, 12 in the pectoral, and 8 rays in the anal fin. 
Length about 4 inches, height +8,ths of an inch. 

Excellent eating. Found abundantly in the Beema river near 
Pairgaon. 


Chel. Teekanee, Sykes. A small Chela, with nearly straight 
back; snout on the continuation of the line of the back; 
belly arched; with 10 rays in the dorsal, 12 in the pectoral, 
and 14 in the anal fins. Length 24 inches, height 3 inch. 

Found in the Beema. 


Chel. Alkootee, Sykes. An elongated, silver-white, slightly 
compressed, minute Chela, with the dorsal fin of about 8 
rays, very far back; ventral of about 7, and anal of about 10 
rays, with burnished silver gill covers and black orbits ; 
rarely more than an inch long, and not much thicker than 
a good-sized crow quill. 

This very beautiful fish has a sweet flavour. 


Leuciscus, Klein. First division. The dorsal situated a little behind 
the centre of the back, above the space between the ventral 
and anal fins. 


Leuc. Morar, Cyprinus Morar, Buchanan Hamilton. A Leu- 
ciscus allied to Chela, but with the dorsal fin a little behind 
the centre of the back, with 8 rays in each ventral fin, 12 in © 
the anal, and 10 in the dorsal, and with the edge of the 
belly smooth. Length 43 inches; height ,'y. 

Differs slightly from Buchanan Hamilton’s L. Morar. 


Leuc. Sandkhol, Sykes. A JLeuciscus, with nearly cylindrical 
body ; dorsal fin of 12 rays, pectoral of 14, and ventral of 10 
rays; gibbous head; 8 to 10 inches long by 14 to 2 inches 
high; eyes with whitish narrow irides. The dorsal in this 
fish is situated a little before the centre of the back. 

Found in the Goreh river at Kullumb. 


Leuc. Chitul, Sykes. A Leuciscus, with 14 rays in the dorsal, 
14 in the pectoral, and 8 in the anal fins; of a reddish grey 
colour, and rounded head. Sub-cylindrical. Length about 5 
inches, height 14 inch. 

Found in the Inderanee river near Chakun. 

It being found impracticable to arrange, in any of the sub-genera 
described, the following fishes of the Carp family, it is proposed to 
place them in a new sub-genus, which I will call by the native 
Mahratta name of Rohtee. 


Routes, nov. genus. 
Carps with a lozenge-shaped body, rather long dorsal and anal 
fins, the former seated on the angle of the back, with the 
first complete ray serrated posteriorly ; scales minute. 


Rohtee Ogilbii, Sykes. A Rohtee, with 12 rays in the dorsal, 


9 in the ventral, and 17 in the anal fins; the body very 
compressed, and very high, with the back sloping to each 


Zoological Society. 59 


end from the centre; head sharpish ; pectoral fins, narrow 
acuminated. First complete dorsal ray, a strong bone, ser- 
rated behind. Length, 44 inches, height 1; inch. A bony 
fish. 

Found in the Beema river near Pairgaon. This fish is dedicated 
to my friend Mr. Ogilby, a distinguished member of the 
Society. 


Roht. Vigorsii, Sykes. A Rohtee, with armed dorsal fin of 11 
rays, ventral of 10, and anal of 28 rays; compressed body ; 
high in the middle, and sloping to each end; head slightly 
recurved; eyes very large. Length, 6 inches; height, 1% 
inches; greatest length, 8 inches. 

Found abundantly in the Beema river at Pairgaon. I have 
dedicated this fish to my friend Mr. Vigors. 


Roht. Pangut, Sykes. A Rohtee, compressed, deep, angular- 
backed, with 12 rays in the dorsal, 14 or 15 in the pectoral, 
and 8 in the anal fins, and with the first 3 or 4 rays of the 
dorsal fin black at their tips; scales larger than in the pre- 
ceding species. Length, 5 inches; height, 14 inch. 

Found in the Baum and Beema rivers. 


Roht. Ticto; Cyprinus Ticto of Buchanan Hamilton. A Rohtee, 
1+ inch long, with 4 to 6 black spots on the body; the 2nd 
ray of the dorsal toothed behind with sharp incurved teeth ; 
with 10 rays in the dorsal, 8 in the anal, and 8 in the ventral 
fins; pectoral fins narrow, acuminate. 

Found in the Mota Mola at Poona, This fish differs slightly 
from Dr. Buchanan Hamilton’s Cyprinus Ticto. 


Cobitis, Lin. : 

Cob. Rupelli, Sykes. A nearly cylindrical scaleless Cobitis, not 
much thicker than a large goose-quill; from 2 to 3 inches 
long, with 6 cirri; the lateral line marked with short brown 
bars, and the rays of the dorsal and anal fins. similarly 
barred ; dorsal fin of 13 rays, pectoral of 12, and ventral of 
8 rays. 

This fish is much esteemed for food. Found in the Beema river 
at Taimbournee and Mota Mola near Poona. I have dedi- 
cated this beautiful little fish to Riippell, who did me the 
favour to look over my drawings, and at the same time gave 
me his opinion respecting the genera of the fishes. 


Cob. Mooreh, Sykes. Differs from the preceding only in being 
of a smaller size, in having 12 rays in the dorsal, and 7 in 
the anal fin; the head is more obtusely pointed, and there 
are more dark blotches on it; the bars on the lateral line 
are differently arranged. 


Cob. Maya, Sykes. Differs from the first species in having a 
spine under each eye, and in having a blunter head; 9 rays 
in the dorsal, 7 in the ventral fins. 


F 2 


60 Zoological Society. 


Fam. Esocide. 
Belone, Cuv. 

Bel. Graii, Sykes. A Belone with the fin of the tail rounded 
and emarginate, with both jaws elongated into a quadrangular 
beak ; with very minute scales; dorsal of 16 rays and anal 
of 16 rays: closely allied to the Hsor Cancila of Buchanan 
Hamilton. 

I have dedicated this fish to a gentleman well known for his 
contributions in natural history. 


Fam. Siluride. 

Schilbe, Cuv. 

Sch. Pabo; Silurus Pabo, Buchanan Hamilton. A Schilbe, with 
the tail divided into 2 unequal lobes, both pointing down- 
wards; with 4 cirri, 2 shorter than the head, and with from 
68 to 70 rays in the anal fin. Length from 12 to 15 inches, 
height 2} to 3 inches. 

Found in most of the rivers. Differs slightly from Buchanan 
Hamilton’s Silurus Pabo. No second dorsal. 


Sch. Boalis, Silurus Boalis, Buchanan Hamilton. <A Schilbe, 
with the fin of the tail divided into 2 unequal lobes; with 
4 cirri, of which 2 extend to the middle of the fish; all the 
fins unarmed; dorsal of 5 rays, pectoral of 15; ventral fins 
very small, of 9 rays; anal fin of 84 rays. Attains the length 
of 3 feet, and the weight of 8 lbs. 

Found in the Mota Mola at Poona. Differs slightly from the 
Silurus Boalis of Buchanan Hamilton. No second dorsal. 


Hypophthalmus, Spix. 

Hyp. Goongwaree, Sykes. An Hypophthalmus, with 8 cirri, 
all longer than the head, but not extending to the middle of 
the fish; with 7 rays in the dorsal, and 52 in the anal fin, 
with an extremely minute second dorsal; first ray in the 
pectoral, and first in the dorsal, spinose and serrated behind. 
Greatest length, 28 inches: body vertically compressed. 

Found in the Mota Mola near Poona. 


Hyp. Taakree, Sykes. An Hypophthalmus, with 8 cirri, 2 of 
which reach to the ventral fins, 2 very minute near the nos- 
trils, and 4 on the chin, nearly as long as the head; with 
the first dorsal and pectoral rays serrated on the posterior 
edge, with 8 rays in the dorsal and 50 in the anal fin. 
Length, 9 inches; height, 2 inches. 


Bagrus, Cuvier. 

Bagr. Yarrelli, Sykes. A Bagrus, with the first rays of the 
pectoral and dorsal fins terminating in long fleshy tendrils 
and serrated behind; with 8 cirri, two of which are as long 
as the head, thick, fleshy, and being lateral elongations of 
the upper lip; other cirri very short; head broad, covered 
with a granulated bony plate; the fish olive brown, marked 
with black blotches like a Dalmatian dog; 2nd dorsal fleshy, 


Zoological Society. 61 


triangular. Length, 18 inches, but attains to a very great 
size; body not vertically compressed. 
Found in the Mota Mola at Poona. 


Bagr. Lonah, Sykes. A Bagrus, with 8 small cirri; flat, granulated 
head; first dorsal fin of 7 rays, and pectoral of 10 rays, the 
first ray of which is furnished on the posterior edge with 
long sharp teeth; anal fin of 10 rays; 2nd dorsal of a trian- 
gular form and fleshy: something resembling the preceding 
in colour. 


Platystoma, Agassiz. 

Plat. Seenghala, Sykes. A Platystoma, with the tail fin 
crescent-shaped, lobes unequal; with 8 cirri, two of which 
only are longer than the head, reaching to two-thirds of the 
length of the fish; the first ray of the pectoral and ventral 
fins serrated behind; head long, flat, spatulate, covered 
with a granulated bony plate. Dorsal fin of 8 rays; high, 
ventral fins, very far back, of 6 rays. Grows to a great 
size; flesh heating and soft. 


Phractocephalus, Agassiz. Pirarara of Spix. 

Phract. Kuturnee, Sykes: A Phractocephalus, with 6 cirri, 2 
of which only are longer than the head; the first pec- 
toral spine serrated on both edges; the Ist dorsal spine on 
the posterior edge only; these two spines terminating in a 
filament: the shoulder-bone elongated into a point behind. 
Greatest length, 6 inches; dorsal fin of 7 rays; pectoral of 
9 rays; ventral fin small, of 7 rays; second dorsal replaced 
by a small adipose fin. 


Phract. Itchkeea, Sykes. A Phractocephalus, with 8 cirri, 2 of 
which from the upper lip, extend to the end of the pectoral 
fins; the other 2 very minute, with the 4 on the chin nearly 
as long as the head; with the lst ray in the pectoral fins only 
serrated; with 8 rays in the dorsal, and 12 in the anal fins; 
with a sharp prolongation of the scapula. Fish handsomely 
marked on the back with dark colours. Length, 2 inches. 

This fish presents some slight deviations from the generic 
characters. 


Phract. Gogra, Sykes. A Phractocephalus, with 4 shortish 
cirri; the plates of the shoulder elongated into acute, an- 
gular, broad spines, with a dorsal fin of 8 rays; first ray a 
bone serrated behind; pectoral fins of 10 rays, the first ray 
a broad compressed bone serrated on both edges; head flat 
and broad; second dorsal small, fleshy. Size 6 inches, but 
grows larger. 


Pimelodus, Lacepéde. 

Pimelodus Seengtee, Sykes. A Pimelodus, with the caudal fin 
divided into 2 unequal sharpish lobes, and having 8 cirri, 2 
of which reach to the tail fin, and 4 to the end of the head, 
and 2 are shorter than the head; the dorsal fin high and 


62 Zoological Society. 


without spine, of 9 rays; 12 rays in the anal fin; the second 

dorsal adipose, and extending from the termination of the 

first dorsal to near the tail. Length of fish, 6 inches. 
Ageneiosus, Lacepéde. 

Ageneiosus Childreni, Sykes, An Ageneiosus, without cirri, 
with the first ray of the dorsal and pectoral fins serrated on 
the anterior edge only; with 8 rays in the dorsal, and 42 in 
the anal fin; with two sharp lobes to the tail, the upper being 
somewhat the smallest. Length of fish, 18 inches; height, 
41 inches, but grows to a larger size. Second dorsal adipose, 
minute. 

Fam. Clupeide. 


Mystus, Buchanan Hamilton; Notopterus, La Cepede. 

Mystus Badgee, Sykes. A Mystus, with not less than 105 rays 
in the anal fin, 7 or 8 in the dorsal, and in the pectoral from 
13 to 16, all unarmed; without apparent ventral fins, and 
with a single small dorsal; the anal and caudal fins uniting, 
and terminating in a point at the end of the body; posterior 
edge of the last gill plate crenated; scales minute. This 
remarkable fish belongs to the genus Mystus of Buchanan 
Hamilton, but not to the genus Mystus of Cuvier. Fish 
vertically compressed. Length, 11 inches; height, 3 inches. 

Ord. AvopEs. ‘ 
Fam. Murenide. 
Anguilla, Cuv. 

Ang. Elphinstonei, Sykes. An Anguilla, with the lower jaw 
the longest; with the back, tail, and anal fins united, and 
with a broadish, flat head; body dark green, blotched with 
black; with 2 short tubular processes, one on each side of 
the upper jaw. Attains the length of 3 feet, and diameter 
of 3 inches. 

I have dedicated this fine fish to the Honourable Mountstewart 
Elphinstone. 

In concluding my characters of the fishes of Dukhun (Deccan), 
I may be allowed to state, that I have found the number of cirri, 
whether in the Siluride or Cyprinide, insufficient as a generic cha- 
racter; different species of the same genus varying in the number 
of their cirri.” 


December 11, 1838.—Dr. Bostock in the Chair. 

A Wasp’s Nest, of very large size, was also exhibited to the Mem- 
bers present. ‘This nest was sent from Ceylon by the Governor of 
that island, and was accompanied by the following letter from Lieut. 


W. Williams, R.A. 
Colombo, 27th May, 1838. 


“The specimen of the Social Wasp’s nest, now on board the 
barque ‘Morning Star,’ was found by me in a talipot tree near 
Colombo in Ceylon: its apex was secured at the junction of two of 


Zoological Society. 63 


the smallest leaves of this magnificent tree, and the bottom of the 
nest was about seventy feet from the ground, at which elevation the 
leaves began to shoot. 

*“‘ It had been abandoned by the wasps, and its exterior walls were 
much injured by the monsoon rains and storms, which left the ter- 
races unprotected and unsupported, except by their interior pillars : 
and the natives were in consequence unable to lower it from such a 
height without destroying some of the lower terraces. 

**] shall not attempt to enter further on this subject, a structure 
so well known to naturalists. The appearance of the nest, as it 
hung upwards of seventy feet from the ground, the shaft to it per- 
fectly bare ; and the larger leaves (used by the natives as umbrellas 
and tents) waving over it, presented a very singular appearance : and 
I hope its remains may reach England in a state of preservation 
sufficient to satisfy the inspection of the curious. 

« W. WituramMs, Lieut. R. Artillery.” 


January 8th, 1839.—Professor Owen in the Chair. 


Dr. Harlan read a paper entitled, ‘‘ Description of a new species 
of Meriones inhabiting the United States of North America.” 

**A male and female specimen of the species which it is now 
proposed to add to the Fauna of the United States, were taken 
some time during 1836, on the farm of Mr. Beck, in Philadelphia 
County, a few miles north-east of the city. The female at the 
moment of her capture carried several young, which adhered to the 
teats firmly, notwithstanding the violent efforts and leaps of the pa- 
rent. 

“In the descriptive details which follow, the usual allowance 
must be made when such are drawn from impaled skins.” 


MERIoNES MicrocEPHaLus. Mer. superné nigro flavoque mixtis, flavo 
apud latera prevalente ornatus ; corpore subtus albescente, flavido 
lavato; auribus mediocribus, pilis flavis et nigris intermiztis, 
intis atque extis instructis. 

‘** Male. Length of the body, three inches ; of the tail, four inches ; 
total length of the hind leg, one inch four-eighths; of the thigh, 
three-eighths ; of the leg, five eighths ; of the foot, four-eighths. Five 
toes behind; four before; with a rudimentary nailed thumb; all the 
toes sparsely hairy, and terminating in strong, sharp claws. 

** Colour above, plumbeous, interspersed with reddish fawn; be- 
low, white, similarly interspersed in a less degree, a lateral longi- 
tudinal band of reddish fawn colour separating the sides from the 
abdomen ; tail, sparsely hairy, dark coloured above, white beneath, 


64 Zoological Society. 


with a pencil of hairs at the extremity; this member being propor- 
tionably longer, and the head much smaller and more elongated than 
in G. Canadensis. 'The last-named species has been figured by the 
late Professor B. T. Barton, in the Transactions of the American 
Philosophical Society, also in the Encyclopédie Méthodique, but 
was for the first time adequately described from living specimens in 
the ‘ Fauna Americana,’ p. 156, when specimens were deposited in 
the cabinet of the Academy. of Natural Science of Philadelphia. 

‘** The subjects of the present memoir were placed in my hands 
for description by Mr. Chaloner, a Member of the Academy. The 
female is larger than the male, and of purer white beneath.” 

The specimens of Gerbillus microcephalus above referred to, were 
presented by Dr. Harlan to the Society; and also a species of Sper- 
mophilus, which Dr. Harlan exhibited to the Meeting. ‘The last- 
mentioned animal very closely resembles the S. Franklinii; but 
being of a much smaller size, Dr. Harlan was anxious that it should 
be submitted to examination, and should be carefully compared with 
that animal upon some future occasion. 

Several specimens of the Bean Goose (Anser segetum), the Gray- 
Lag Goose (Anser cinereus), the White-fronted Goose, (Anser albi- 
frons), and of another species allied to these, were exhibited by Mr. 
A.D. Bartlett, in order to illustrate a paper which he communicated 
to the Meeting, ‘‘ On a new British species of the genus Anser, with 
remarks on the nearly-allied species.” 

‘It may be necessary, before describing the new species,” says 
Mr. Bartlett, ‘‘ to notice the three birds most nearly allied, in order 
more clearly to point out the distinctions existing between them; I 
do this in consequence of the imperfect descriptions. given by au- 
thors, from which it is almost impossible to distinguish the species. 
I shall commence with that which is the most common. 

«« Anser segetum, Meyer. Bean Goose. Entire length, 33 inches ; 
extent, 64; from the carpal joint to the end of wing, 19 inches. 
The head and neck are brown, tinged with grey: back and scapulars, 
darker brown, slightly tinged with grey, each feather being mar- 
gined with greyish white; primaries, dark brown, tinged with grey ; 
shoulders of wings and secondary quill-feathers, greyish brown ; 
rump, blackish brown; upper tail-coverts, white; tail, dark brown, 
deeply edged with greyish white; breast and belly, dirty white ; 
abdomen and under tail-coverts, pure white; bill, 2} inches long, 
rather slender, flattened and narrow towards the tip; the base, sides 
and nail, black; immediately above the nail commences a yellowish 
orange mark, extending a little beyond the anterior margin of the 


Zoological Society. 65 


nostrils in front, and passing under and beyond the termination of 
them at the sides, but seldom reaching the corner of the mouth, 
except in very old individuals, in which this mark extends under 
and behind the nostrils, crosses the base of the bill next the fore- 
head, leaving only the central part of the bill (between the nostrils) 
and the nail black; which latter part is sometimes, though rarely, 
white; legs and feet, reddish orange ; wings, when closed, reaching 
2 inches beyond the tail. The young of this species are darker, 
and the markings less distinct ; the bill is shorter, the mark upon it 
narrower, and of a deep red colour; the legs and feet, pale orange. 

«* Anser cinereus, Meyer. Grey Lag Goose. Entire length, 35 

inches ; extent, 64; from the carpal joint to end of wing, 174 inches. 
The plumage more cinereous than in the last-described species ; the 
shoulders and rump, light grey; breast and belly, white, sometimes 
spotted with black; the bill, 24 inches long; more robust, deeper, 
broader, and the laminz much more developed than in the Bean 
Goose, and of a dull yellow, inclining to flesh colour towards the 
nail, which is white; in summer the bill assumes a redder tint; legs 
and feet, pale flesh colour ; wings, when closed, even with the end 
of the tail. The young of this species are darker than the adults, 
but the grey upon the shoulders and rump, the form of the bill, and 
colour of the legs and feet, will always distinguish them from the 
young of any of the other species. 
_  Anser albifrons, Bechstein. White-fronted Goose. Entire 
length, 26 inches ; extent, 52; from the carpal joint to end of wing, 
163 inches. The adult of this species may be distinguished from 
others of the genus by the conspicuous white mark upon the fore- 
head and sides of the bill, and the irregular patches of black and 
white upon the breast and belly ; the bill, 12 of an inch long, of a 
reddish flesh colour; the nail, white; legs and feet, bright orange ; 
wings, when closed, reaching 14 inch beyond the tail. The young 
of this species are much darker than the adult; the forehead and 
sides of the bill, nearly black; the breast and belly, dirty white, 
spotted with brown; bill, brown, inclining to flesh colour; nail, 
dark brown; legs and feet, pale orange. 

** Anser phenicopus, Bartlett.. Pink-footed Goose. Entire length, 
28 inches ; extent, 60; from carpal joint to end of wing, 172 inches. 
Top of the head and back of the neck, dark brown; sides of the 
face, forepart of the neck, and upper part of the breast, light brown ; 
back and scapulars, dark brown, tinged with grey; each feather 
deeply margined with greyish white; shoulders of wings and rump, 
greyish ash; primaries, brown, tinged with grey; tail, brownish 


66 Linnean Society. 


ash, deeply edged with white; lower part of belly, upper and under 
tail-coverts, pure white; legs and feet, of a reddish flesh colour or 
pink; the hind toe closely united by the membrane that runs along 
the edge of the inner toe; the feet, remarkably thick and fleshy ; 
bill, 13 of an inch, long, narrow, and much contracted towards the 
tip; the base, sides and nail, black; the space between the nail and 
the nostrils, reddish flesh colour or pink ; wings, when closed, reach- 
ing 13 inch beyond the tail. 

‘* Having thus noticed the three nearly-allied species, and described 
the new one, I will endeavour to point out more particularly the 
distinctions between this new species and the Bean Goose, to which 
it bears the nearest resemblance. First, the great difference in thte 
size; the average size of the Bean Goose is 33 inches in length, 
and 64 inches in extent; while the average size of the new species 
is 28 inches in length, and 60 inches in extent. Secondly, the bill 
is much smaller, shorter, more contracted towards the tip, and of a 
different colour. Thirdly, the difference in colour and in form of 
the legs and feet, and in the fleshy character of the foot, and the hind 
toe being more closely united by its membrane, has consequently, 
less freedom of motion. Fourthly, the plumage on the rump and 
shoulders being more inclined to grey. And lastly, in the form of 
the sternum, which differs from that of the Bean Goose in shape 
and bears a more close resemblance to that of the White-fronted 
Goose. In conclusion, I may remark that I have examined, in all, 
twelve specimens of this new species, four of which were alive; one 
of them is now living in the garden of the Zoological Society, where 
it has been, I am told, eight years, without exhibiting any per- 
ceptible alteration in its plumage, or in the colour of its legs and 
feet. 

«The Grey Lag Goose is by far the most rare of the four species 
here referred to.” 

Professor Owen commenced the reading of a paper, ‘“‘On the 
Classification and Affinities of the Marsupial Animals,” 


LINNZAN SOCIETY. 


June 18, 1839.—Mr. Foster, V.P., in the Chair. 


The Secretary read a letter addressed to him by the President no- 
minating the four following Members of the Council to be Vice-Pre- 
sidents for the year ensuing, commencing the 24th of last month, viz. 

Robert Brown, Esq.; Edward Forster, Esq.; Thomas Horsfield, 
M.D.; Aylmer Bourke Lambert, Esq. ’ 


Linnean Society. 67 


The V. P., in the chair, read a notice, addressed to the Society 
from Upsal, announcing the death of Louisa von Linné, the third and 
last surviving daughter of Linnzus, which took place at Upsal, on 
the 21st of March last, at the very advanced age of 90. 

Read ‘‘ A Biographical Sketch of Ferdinand Bauer, Natural Hi- 
story Painter to the Expedition under Capt. Flinders.” By Dr. John 
Lhotsky. Communicated by the Secretary. 

Ferdinand Bauer, the celebrated Natural History Painter and 'Tra- 
veller, was born in the year 1760, at Feldsberg in Austria, where 
his father held the appointment of Painter to Prince Lichtenstein. 

In the year 1775 we find him employed by the Rev. Norbert 
Boccius, of the same place, to make miniature paintings of plants 
from nature. 

In 1784, while still in the same employment, he was through the 
recommendation of the elder Jacquin engaged by Dr. Sibthorp to 
accompany him in his first Journey to Greece, and on his return he 
was for several years occupied in finishing the numerous drawings 
of plants made in that journey, and which prove him to have been, 
even at that period, a very accurate observer, as well as a highly ac- 
complished artist. 

In 1801 he was selected by Sir Joseph Banks as the Natural Hi- 
story Painter in the voyage of Capt. Flinders. From this expedition 
he returned to Europe in 1805, bringing with him no less than 1600 
finished sketches of plants, besides numerous drawings of animals, 
of equal merit, and for several years was engaged in finishing a se- 
lection of his drawings of plants, which are deposited at the Admi- 
ralty, the board by which he was employed. 

After the Investigator was condemned as unfit for the prosecution 
of the voyage, and Capt. Flinders had left New Holland to return to 
Europe, Mr. Bauer, along with Mr. Brown, remained in New South 
Wales, chiefly at Port Jackson ; but he also visited and remained a 
considerable time in Norfolk Island, where he diligently collected and 
made drawings of all the plants of that remarkable island, and from 
his materials Dr. Endlicher has lately published his very interesting 
‘Flora Insule Norfolkiz.’ 

In 1818 Mr. Bauer commenced the publication of a work entitled 
‘ Illustrationes Florze Novee Hollandiz,’ which did not extend beyond 
three numbers, and of these the last was finished at Vienna, where 
he had returned in 1814. This work met with very little encou- 
ragement, either in this country or in his own. 

In the vicinity of Vienna he continued to reside, employing him- 
self in drawing the more remarkable plants that flowered in the im- 


68 Linnean Society. 


perial gardens of that capital, and even in making occasional bota- 
nical excursions into the Austrian and Styrian Alps. Besides the 
works already noticed, during his stay in England he prepared the 
greater part of the drawings of the first volume of Mr. Lambert’s 
work on the genus Pinus, and the plates of that work were chiefly 
coloured by him. He also prepared a series of drawings of the spe- 
cies of Digitalis, which have since been published by Dr. Lindley, in 
his ‘ Digitalium Monographia.’ 

Mr. Bauer was seized with a severe illness in 1825, which termi- 
nated in his death on the 17th of March 1826, having attained the 
age of 66. 

Read, ‘‘ A Notice of a Plant which produces perfect Seeds with- 
out any apparent action of Pollen on the Stigma.” By Mr. John 
Smith, A.L.S. 

The subject of the present notice belongs to the natural family of 
Euphorbiacee, and has been cultivated for several years in the Royal 
Botanic Garden at Kew, under the name of Sapium aquifolium. It 
is a native of Moreton Bay, on the east coast of New Holland, where 
it was discovered by Mr. Allan Cunningham, who sent three plants 
of it to Kew in 1829. A short time after their introduction the 
plants flowered, and they proving to be all females, they were na- 
turally passed over as belonging to a diccious plant, until Mr. 
Smith’s attention was particularly drawn to them by the fact of their 
producing perfect seeds. They have annually flowered and matured 
their seeds since, and notwithstanding the most diligent search and 
constant attention no male flowers or any pollen-bearing organs have 
been detected. Young plants have been raised at different times 
from the seeds, and they bear so close a resemblance to their parents 
that it is scarcely possible even to suspect the access of pollen from 
any other plant. 

Mr. Smith considers the plant as the type of a new genus, which 
he names Celebogyne. It forms an irregularly branched, rigid, ever- 
green shrub, of about three feet in height, with alternate, petiolate, 
elliptical, mucronate, coriaceous leaves, having three large spinous 
teeth on each side, and furnished with two small subulate persistent 
stipules. The paper was accompanied by a young plant raised from 
seed produced at Kew, and by a beautiful drawing of the parts of 
fructification from the pencil of Mr. Francis Bauer. 

Read also, ‘‘ Descriptions of newly discovered Spiders.” By John 
Blackwall, Esq., F.L.S. 

This paper comprises descriptions of new species of Spiders, re- 
cently discovered, and principally by the author himself, in the north 


Miscellaneous. 69 


of England and Wales, and it must be confessed that the success 
which has attended his labours in this department is greater than 
could have been anticipated, no fewer than fifty-three species having 
been added by him to the catalogue. Much of this success is to be 
attributed to the fact of his attention having been chiefly directed 
to those species which, on account of their diminutive size, require 
the aid of optical instruments, of a high magnifying power, for their 
accurate examination. 

The genera to which the species chiefly belong are Drassus, Clu- 
biona, Lycosa, Agelena, Theridium, Walckenaera, Neriene and Liny- 
phia. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


ON THE PLACE OF SCARABZUS LONGIMANUS IN THE SYSTEM. 


M. Klug read before the Academy of Sciences of Berlin a paper 
upon the place of Scarabeus longimanus in the system. Its affinity 
to Geotrupes, Fabr. (Scarabeus, Latr.), among which it has been 
placed in modern systems, consists only in its considerable size. It 
is most decidedly removed from this genus by its very small and 
simply formed anterior half of the body, or head and prothorax, com- 
pared to the elytra or posterior portion, which, as is never the case 
in the Scarabei, are completely defenceless; by the quadrate cly- 
peus, which is deeper in the middle, but on the contrary is sharply 
edged anteriorly and at the sides; by the clearly visible, perpendi- 
cularly descending lip with a projecting tuft of hair, as in Lucanus ; 
by the similar lancet-formed mandibles, which lie concealed as in 
Ateuchus and Copris, Trichius and Cetonia; by the triangular hinder 
part of the body which projects over the elytra, as in Melolontha; 
lastly, as in the latter, by the curved claws armed in the centre with 
a strong curved tooth. It appears possible from the last-mentioned 
character, as well as from the form of the clypeus and the exceed- 
ingly similar form of the body, to reckon the Sc. longimanus amongst 
the true Melolonthide, yet the formation of the mandibles does not 
allow this, and it rather requires to be placed at some distance from 
Scarabeus and even after Cyclocephala, yet before Melolontha. The 
genus has been determined, and is according to Hope Eucheirus of 
Kirby. The Scarabeus mucronatus, Pall. would form a second spe- 
cies, which, under the name of Propomacrus Arbaces, has been de- 
scribed over again and delineated as new by Newman in the fourth 
number of the Entomological Magazine for the year 1837, ‘Thus 


70 Miscellaneous. 


the Scarabeus longimanus forms a distinct genus in a separate small 
group: Hucheirus, Kirby, Hope; Propomacrus, Newman. The ge- 
nus contains two species, L. longimanus (Scarabeus longimanus, L. 
Fabr.) and EL. bimucronatus (Scarabeus bimucronatus, Pall., Propo- 
macrus Arbaces, Newman). 


IDENTITY OF THE SHANNON WITH THE LOUGH NEAGH COREGONUS. 


The examination of more specimens of the fish described as Core- 
gonus clupeoides, Nills.? in the ‘ Annals,’ vol. ii. pp. 266 and 421, 
pl. 16, has proved its identity with the Cor. Pollan. Different as the 
figures and descriptions of these Coregoni may appear, I have now 
seen individuals (so liable are they to variation) exhibiting all the 
intermediate characters.—W. THomrson. 


PREVENTIVE AGAINST MADNESS IN ELEPHANTS, BY CARL FREIHERR 
VON HUGEL. 

The announcement in the Berlin papers of the tragical end of 
M. Tourniaire’s Elephant*, certainly renders it desirable to know 
some means of preventing similar misfortunes, which have already 
occurred so frequently in Europe. The state of the Elephant which 
drives it to madness is termed by the Indians Most, literally, in- 
toxicated by sexual stimulus or by spirituous liquors, and as soon 
as the keeper of the Elephants observes the symptoms of the mosti 
coming on, he has a never-failing means of restoring the animal con- 
fided to his care immediately to his seuses. He places before it a 
vessel with three seers (a seer is somewhat more than a pound) of 
fluid butter, called Ghie, which the Elephant swallows and again be- 
comes sober. When on great festivals Elephants are intoxicated 
with brandy for the purpose of fighting them, they are rendered sober 
as soon as desired by the same means. Ghie has moreover the same 
effect on Dromedaries and Camels when they are mosti. A portion 
of Ghie poured down their throats soon restores them to their usual 
state.—Wiegmann’s Archiv. 


ARE THE CLOSTERIA ANIMALS OR PLANTS ? 


Ehrenberg enumerates the following reasons for considering the 
Closterig as belonging to the Animal Kingdom. They enjoy volun- 
tary motion, they have apertures at their extremities, they have 


* Poisoned with hydrocyanic acid. Our readers will also remember the 
fate of Mr, Cross’s Elephant, which it became necessary to shoot from the 
same cause. 


Meteorological Observations. 71 


projecting permanent organs near the apertures, which are con- 
stantly in motion, and they increase by horizontal spontaneous divi- 
sion. Dr. Meyen, who is of the opposite opinion, mentions as the most 
important observations in favour of their vegetable nature, that their 
structure is exactly similar to that of the Conferve ; their formation of 
seed and the development of this seed is like that of the Conferve. 
The occurrence moreover of amylum in the interior of the Closterie 
with which they are frequently nearly filled, is a striking proof of 
their being plants ; they have no feet,—what Ehrenberg regards as 
such are molecules having a spontaneous motion, which occur in 
great number in Clos. Trabecula, and quite fill a canal the whole 
length of the plant. Their function is difficult to determine, but they 
also occur in very many Conferve, and may perhaps be compared 
with the Spermotazoa of plants. 


METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR JULY, 1839. 


Chiswick.—July 1—3. Fine. 4,5. Very fine. 6. Sultry. 7. Hot: thunder 
and much lightning at night, accompanied with unusually little rain. 8. Very 
fine. 9—11. Fine. 12. Cloudy: slight rain. 13. Very fine. 14. Very fine: 
rain. 15,16. Fine. 17. Slightly overcast: thunder and heavy rain at night. 
18. Showery: windy. 19, 20. Very boisterous. 21,22, Fine. 23. Showery. 
24, Rain: fine. 25. Overcast. 26. Very heavy rain. 27. Heavy thunder 
showers. 28. Cloudy. 29. Fine. 30, 31. Rain. 


Boston.—July 1. Cloudy. 2 Cloudy: raina.m. 9%. Cloudy. 4. Fine. 
5. Cloudy. 6. Fine. 7. Cloudy. 8. Fine: rain, with thunder and lightning 
A.M.: rainr.M. 9. Fine: rain, with thunder and lightning p.m. 10,11. Fine. 
12, Fine: rainrm. 13. Fine. 14. Fine; rainem. 15—17. Fine. 18, 
Cloudy: stormy, with rainr.m. 19, Stormy. 20—23. Cloudy. 24. Cloudy: 
rainearly a.m. 25. Cloudy. 26. Cloudy: raine.m. 27. Rain: rain early 
A.M. : thunder and lightning y.m. 28. Fine: rain early a.m. 29. Fine: rain 
pM. 930. Cloudy: rain early a.m.: raine.m. $31. Cloudy: rain early a.m. 


Applegarth Manse, Dum/fries-shire-—July 1,2. Very fine summer days: clear 
sky. 3. Very hot. 4. Warm, but with a pleasant breeze. 5. The same: get- 
ting cloudy r.m. 6.+ Slight showers all day. 7. Rain. 8. Slight showers 
A.M.: cleared and was fine. 9. Showery. 10. Wet and stormy nearly all day. 
11. Warm but cloudy: very wet rm. 12. Heavy rain during night: showery : 
flood. 13. Fine bracing air. 14. Showery a.m.: cleared up noon: cloudy 
p.M. 15. Showery a.m.: cleared, and was fine. 16. Remarkably fine day. 
17. Cloudy and threatening, and electrical. 18. Frequent heavy showers and 
high wind. 19. Stormy day: rain nearly throughout. 20. Slight showers 
allday: flood. 21. Pleasant bracing air: getting cloudy p.m. 22. The 
same: a very slight shower. 23. Showery all day. 24, Showery a.m.: 
cleared up pM. 25. Very fine day: air warm and genial. 26. The same: 
sultry p.m.: thunder. 27. Cooler: wind northerly: cloudy p.m. 28. Remark- 
ably fine day. 29. Showery all day: distant thunder. 30. Fair and pleasant. 
31. Slight shower a.m. 


Sun 25 days. Rain 17 days. Thunder 2 days. 

Wind southerly 23 days. Northerly 5 days. Westerly 1 day. Easterly 2 
days. 

Calm 14 days. Moderate 7 days. Brisk 4 days. Strong breeze 3 days. 
Boisterous S$ days. 


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ANNALS OF NATURAL HISTORY. 


= 


IX.—On the Discoid Piths of Plants. By Cu. Morren, 
Professor of Botany in the University of Li¢ge, Member of 
the Royal Academy of Sciences of Brussels, &c.* 


Tue immortal Grew could not dissect the wood of the walnut 
tree (Juglans regia, L.) without being struck with the very 
singular form of its pith, which is formed of lenticular empty 
discs and of transversal membranous septat. Hill, in 1770, 
who also investigated the structure of woods, observed the 
same fact, and saw that this form originated exteriorly from a 
continuous ordinary pith {. Much later (in 1815) M. Mirbel 
made known a similar organization in the Nyssa aquatica, L. 
(Nyssa biflora, Mx.) and in Phytolacca decandra§. In 1827 
M. DeCandolle the elder attempted to explain this fact by a 
rupture, asserting that the pith to assume this form must 
either have great cells or a tissue not susceptible of extension. 
The elongation of the young shoots then tore the pith across 
at the end of the first year, and thence arose both the discoidal 
cavities, and the transversal discs. This physiologist men- 
tioned, in addition to the walnut tree, the Jasminum officinale, 
as presenting the same structure ||. In 1835 Treviranus ap- 
pears to adopt the explication of Hill, that the cavities and 
the discs are derived from a compact pith, and in that Trevi- 
ranus is perfectly right ; he does not mention any other plant 
in which this structure might be found. These remarkable 
organizations seem to have escaped the scrupulous attention 

of M. Meyen, who does not notice them in his ‘ Physio- 
logy KF : 


* A translation of the MS. original communicated by the Author. 

+ Grew. Anat. Plantarum, 1682. PI. 19. f. 4. 7 

t Hill. The Construction of Timber from its early growth explained by 
the Microscope. London, 1770. Tab. X. fig. 1—4. 

¥ Mirbel. Elémens de Physiologie Végétale, 1815, vol. i. p. 112. 

|| DeCandolle. Organographie, vol. i. p. 167. 

q Treviranus. Physiologie der Gewichse, 1835, vol. i. p. 252. 

** Meyen. Physiologie der Pflanzen, 1837, vol. i. p. 377. 


Ann. Nat, Hist. Vol.4. No.22. Oct. 1839. G 


74 Prof. C. Morren on the discoid Piths of Plants. 


It is highly probable that this structure is much more com- 
mon than is generally supposed, since by counting the Begonie 
among those plants which present it to us, as we have ob- 
served, we find that the discoid piths exist in the families of 
the Santalacee, Juglandee, Phytolaccee, Jasminee, and Bego- 
niacee, which have no similarity with each other. This in- 
duces me to suppose that further inquiries will prove the ex- 
istence of this form in many more plants. I should however - 
remark that species of the same genus may in this respect 
completely differ. Thus Begonia argyrostigma presents a dis- 
coid pith, whilst Begonia undulata, B. semperflorens, B. pa- 
pilosa, B. dichotoma, have a continuous pith*. Thus the 
Phytolacca decandra is furnished with a discoid pith, whilst 
that of the Phytolacca dioica, Ph. stricta, is continuous, &c. 
Some similar examples might also be taken from the genus 
Jasminum, the genus Nyssa, &c. This structure therefore de- 
pends upon some circumstance wholly specific, which neither 
extends to the genus nor to the family, and which consequently 
could never become of any importance in methodical distri- 
butions. 

Observation however has taught us that the physiology of 
the pith of dicotyledons would receive useful and remarkable 
improvements from the careful study of the formation of 
these medullary discs, for it is known that to few parts have 
been assigned so many different uses as to the pith. It was 
considered by some as the nervous system of the plant, even 
as the brain of this system; by others, and that not long ago, 
as the apparatus of the ascension of the stem; for, said they, 
if the brain is placed in the head, the organ which is placed 
in front in the progression of animals, the pith is placed in the 
stalk, the organ which progresses upwardly in a plant. Then 

* In vegetable physiology great attention has been paid to the secretions 
of the pith and consequently to its colour: it is correctly said to be green at 
its origin and white or brown at a later period and when it is dead. But 
the Begonia papillosa exhibits the phenomenon of a beautiful red pith when 
it arrives at maturity. The red is as bright as that of the beet-root, and 
this colour is caused by a red liquor without globules, which fills the prismen- 
chymatous cells of this pith, so that there is no difference between the kind 
of coloration of this part, which occupies the interior axis of the plant, and 
that of the most peripherical organs, such for instance as the derm, the pe- 


tals. This fact corroborates the opinion that in this phenomenon the work 
is all cellular, that is to say, it resides in the cell itself and proceeds from it. 


Prof. C. Morren on the discoid Piths of Plants. 75 


the pith was said to be an organ which nourished the stem in 
its youth in order to aérate it subsequently (Hales) ; or it was 
that which formed the pistil, the supposed centre of the 
flower (Linnzus). Now it is taken for an apparatus which 
nourishes the fruit, as milk nourishes the young animal, 
the fruit of the mother (Magnol) ;—now the pith becomes 
an attracting pump, which draws water from the soil by the 
vacuum it causes in the branch (Borelli). With one (Mal- 
pighi) it is a conductor of the sap; with another (Plenck) it 
is a reservoir for the moisture which the young branch makes 
use of in dry weather. A celebrated physiologist (DeCandolle) 
sees in it a cotyledon of the bud, that is to say an organ which 
nourishes the bud, as the cotyledon nourishes the plumula 
which germinates. Another philosopher, whose views we 
must confess are very ingenious (Du Petit Thouars), supposes 
it to be the substitute for the cotyledons ; for where these do 
not exist (Lecythis) the pith is in excess. 

Now in the midst of these differences of opinion one fact 
remains certain, which is that the bud has need of pith to be 
developed, it is its necessary sustentaculum. Raspail knew 
very well that the evolution of the bud is in reality a germina- 
tion under other forms. But, if this is become a settled truth, 
it must be acknowledged that a number of circumstances have 
remained unknown, and it is precisely the study of discoid 
piths which will reveal to us some of the most curious. This 
has induced me to publish at present the results of my ob- 
servations on these piths, the more so as these remarks have 
convinced me that if the explanation given by M. DeCandolle 
of their formation is correct, it must be understood in a cer- 
tain manner, and a restricted sense must be given to the word 
rupture; for were we to suppose that a rupture was a rent, a dis- 
solution of continuity effected with violence and with laceration 
of cells or of vessels, we should be quite wrong. In the same 
manner that a fruit opens by a predisposition of the tissues 
destined to break, that is to say to divide, so a pith perforated 
with transversal cavities is also thus pierced by a predisposition 
in the organic elements which lose their continuity by means 
of a structure appropriated to this purpose. If the text of 
adopted physiologies were taken literally, we should say that 

G2 


76 Prof. C. Morren on the discoid Piths of Plants. 


it is the mode in which the elongation of the branch takes 
place which fears the pith regularly into discs, whilst obser- 
vation and the anatomy of the organs prove that these discs 
are the result of a condition of existence of the pith itself and 
not of the ligneous apparatus surrounding it. Such is the first 
conclusion I have come to in this investigation. It will subse- 
quently serve to prove that this phenomenon of the separation 
of the pith into discoid plates is attended with several remark- 
able changes in the cells of this apparatus, and these changes 
are in fact the strongest proofs that can be brought to show 
effectually that the pith is a species of mamilla for the bud; that 
the modifications which take place in the alimentary cells are 
the same as those which take place in a cotyledon during ger- 
mination, but still with conditions often quite different. and 
even inverse. The modifying operation takes place in fact 
altogether in the cell, to the detriment, in the first place, of 
its contents, and afterwards of its envelope also. 

These results, and others in addition, which had not been 
thought of till now, will come out clearly from this investiga- 
tion; and the better to convince the reader, I will go into the 
details themselves,—the analysis of the facts. 

I will first keep to the investigation of Begonia argyrostig- 
ma, which suits this kind of inquiry extremely well. 

If we take a young stem of this plant, fresh and quite healthy, 
the diameter of which at the bottom would be a centimetre and 
more, and diminishing by degrees from the bottom to the top by 
internodes of 8,7, 3, 1, $ centimetres in length, and we examine 
its pith, it is found to be of such a size that it occupies 7>ths of 
the stalk. Moreover this pith (Pl. II. fig. 1.) forms a column 
channeled by three deep grooves (A, B, C, fig. 1.), and by 
three slighter grooves alternating with the first (a, 6, c, fig.1.). 
When the internode is 10 or 9 millimetres in diameter we ob- 
serve that the pith begins to be perforated with discoid cavi- 
ties tolerably equidistant, but separated by rather large masses 
of compact pith (e, f, fig. 2.). But if an internode of 6 or 7 
millimetres in diameter is taken, we find a pith quite conti- 
nuous, compact, similar to that of a great number of plants. 
This change takes place suddenly; for two successive inter- 
nodes, the one of 7 millimetres in diameter, the other of 9, 


Prof. C. Morren on the discoid Piths of Plants. WB 


exhibited a continuous pith in the first and an interrupted pith 
in the second. 

On the section of an internode where the lenticular cavities 
are formed we see first the derm (a, fig. 2.), then the cellular 
envelope (8, fig. 2.), after which comes the ligneous sheath 
(c, fig. 2.), which at the nodes abuts on diaphragms that are 
also ligneous but not formed of fibres (d, fig. 2.). In the 
centre appears the pith (e, fig. 2.) and its cavities (f, fig. 2.). 
These cavities do not in their first state extend to the exterior 
limits of the pith, and their first appearance is that of a sim- 
ple transversal slit. These slits are separated by portions of 
compact pith, which are of six, eight, or ten times the extent 
of the slits. 

These slits, are they lacerations of tissue? So we should 
believe, according to the assertion of M.DeCandolle. But see- 
ing their evenness, the outline of their separation broken off all 
at once, and the smooth and polished surface of their sides, 
this became very improbable. Where there are renés of tissue 
there is raggedness, irregular indentations, and jagged frag- 
ments; here there are none of these. I presumed there- 
fore that this was rather a separation of tissue, and a sepa- 
ration brought about by a particular disposition of the ele- 
mentary parts. Examination with a microscope proves to me 
in fact that nature had so contrived it. 

Figure 4. explains this structure. The pith is formed by 
cells of 8-sided prisms, the sections of which are hexagons, 
but these hexagons are elongated and ail laid transversely, 
so that the pith is definitely formed by Jayers of horizontally 
elongated cells. 

Now the slits are simple separations of these layers, with- 
out the cells themselves being in any way affected (J, m, fig. 4.). 
I am well aware, that on examination of piths cut longitu- 
dinally for the purpose of seeing these slits, open cells will 
be found, but these arise from the dissection; the others are 
all perfectly closed, but simply separated one from another. 

Here then is a first fact established, that if the pith is 
broken or slit, this interruption of continuity arises from a dis- 
location of the layers of cells, and that these cells are, in order 


78 Prof. C. Morren on the discoid Piths of Plants. 


to be thus separated, laid flat one upon another in horizontal 
planes. 

We have seen that the slits do not extend to the circum- 
ference of the pith. There in fact the prismatic cells are no 
longer elongated, but as broad as they are high (d, fig. 4.). 
Nearer the exterior also the cells are again elongated, but in an 
inverse direction; there they are perpendicular, that is to say 
parallel to the ligneous vessels on one side and to the axis of 
the stem on the other (0, c, fig. 4.). At the same time they 
become narrower, and it is these which represent the pith it- 
self in very old branches; they are never divided by horizon- 
tal slits; their longitudinal elongation is opposed to this. 

But what is most curious is the change which takes place 
in the contents of these cells, whether they be taken in the 
slit parts or in the circumference of the pith. In the cells 
longitudinally elongated and in those which are of equal dia- 
meter in every direction there is a great agglomeration of 
grains of fecule (c', d, fig. 4.). These granules are spheroidal, 
white, and vary greatly in diameter. More towards the 
centre some cells show these feculaceous grains, smaller and 
less frequent, and hereand there octohedral crystals (f, fig. 4.) ; 
in the slit pith we see, though but seldom, cells with a nu- 
cleus en couronne (g, fig. 4.), but most frequently the cell is 
destitute of any internal body with the exception of its water 
of vegetation, which is transparent, without globules, and 
fills all its cavities, rendering them true aquiferous vessels. 
Such is the composition of this pith in its early stage. 

Now let. us take an old stalk of Begonia argyrostigma. Here 
things have taken quite a different aspect. A derm which 
has become brown (4, fig. 3), a cellular envelope solidified by a 
ligneous deposition (4, fig. 3.), a system of white wood (c, fig.3.) 
clearly distinct from the nodal, ligneous and very hard dia- 
phragms (d, fig. 3.), and a pith singularly formed of exceed- 
ingly numerous, transverse, very thin discs, leaving between 
them lenticular cavities (/f, fig. 3.), but generally formed by 
two discs with separate roots, discs which join at their 
centre, so that their double roots leave a fresh space empty 
between them (g, fig. 3.). It is just as if the pith had slit or 


Prof. C. Morren on the discoid Piths of Plants. 19 


rather separated into as many discs as possible, in order that 
each one might touch its neighbour, and that there might be 
the greater number of lenticular cavities between them. What 
is most astonishing is the regularity of this arrangement, as 
may be seen im figure 3. 

It now became a subject of interest to examine the intimate 
structure of these discs. And at first, upon taking them off 
the stalk, in the form of membranes of a shining reddish- 
brown and very dry, I was struck with the great number of 
brilliant points which were detached from their surface and 
powdered the stage of the microscope. These brilliant points 
were in fact a vast quantity of octohedral crystals (f, fig. 5.) 
similar to those I had so clearly seen scattered in the young 
pith, but much more voluminous; and others were dodeca- 
hedral crystals, some of which having their tops truncated, 
thus presented fourteen facets (e, fig. 5.). These crystals 
lined, principally the surfaces of the pith, all along the stem, 
rather than the transverse discs. _ 

The latter were formed of cells two or three times larger 
than those of the young pith, and nevertheless the stalk upon 
which my observations were made, only measured twelve mil- 
lemetres in diameter, that is to say, two millemetres more than 
the stem where the pith, still young, was not yet formed of 
discs ;—a proof that it is not the augmentation of the stem 
which by pulling the cells had caused their increase in diame- 
ter ; a proof, moreover, that this development of the cells has 
its origin in the cells themselves, and in the changes which 
they undergo. 

What characterized these cells was the numerous folds of 
their membrane (figs. 5. and 6.); which generally proceeded 
from central points whence they radiated (fig. 6.). The water 
of vegetation had disappeared, some few globules (fig. 5 ¢, 
fig. 6 6) still remained here and there, but in general the or- 
ganic utricular element was dry and empty ; it was dead and 
withered. 

In resuming these observations on the discoid pith of 
the Begonia argyrostigma, we find that the formation of the 
discs is attended with a phenomenon which takes place in 
the cellular tissue itself, and which is connected with the me- 


80 Prof. C. Morren on the discoid Piths of Plants. 


tamorphoses which the cell undergoes by the exercise of the 
vegetable nutrition. In fact the following phases are seen in 
this pith :— 

First period.—The pith is continuous, full, compact, with- 
out interruption of continuity. It is composed of cells which 
have been spherical and which are become prismatic by their 
mutual compression. These cells lengthen by degrees trans- 
versely, and end by being disposed thus in horizontal planes. 

At this period the cell is filled with a liquid and fecule; it 
overflows with nutritive substance ; its pith appears green, 
like the germinating cotyledon of a plant. 

Second period.—The pith is become more extended by the 
development of the branch ; the fecule changes into aliment- 
ary juice; it dissolves by the operation of nutrition (does it 
become gum ?), first disappearing from the central cells of 
the pith, where the nuclei are formed at the same time with 
some granules of chlorophylle. By the loss of this nutritive 
substance, such inorganic substances as salts, obey the forces 
of the inorganic world, and crystallize by degrees ; the crystals 
being formed in the cells. 

The intracellular liquid, or the elaborated fluid which ori- 
ginates in the descending sap, and which has been transmitted 
to the pith by the medullary rays, is absorbed to the gain of 
the bud. The diminution which results from this absorption 
begins to dry up the cells which separate from one another 
horizontally. Then the slit is formed. We might say that 
the force of suction, wrought by the bud, took place in the 
axis of the stalk; it is in fact in this axis that the slit is first 
formed. These slits are at first at great distances from one 
another. 

Third period.—The same facts continuing, results accumulate 
on results. The circumference alone of the pith still contains 
any fecule, but this nutritive substance has completely dis- 
appeared from the remainder of the pith. The water of ve- 
getation, the elaborated fluid of the sap, is more and more sub- 
tracted ; towards the bud, the pith dries more and more, the 
slits are multiplied and grow so large as to be true lenticular 
cavities, which leave between them medullary discs. 'The 
latter then are formed by layers of cells nicely separated one 


Prof. C. Morren on the discoid Piths of Plants. 81 


from another, out of a mass primitively common, but without 
laceration of the partitions; these, at first double for the con- 
tiguous cells, are now become isolated. 

At the same time the pith loses its green colour and be- 
comes of a clear yellow, by the drying up of the membranes 
of the cells, and brilliant points are formed ; these are nume- 
rous crystals which originate from the diminution of the liquid 
in which their elements were originally dissolved. 

It is so true that these changes take place in this manner, 
that if we cut a stalk of Begonia argyrostigma longitudinally, 
when it is fresh and the pith only slit, at the end of two days 
we see the slits become lenticular cavities and the medullary 
discs are formed at the same time that the pith drying up 
passes from green to yellow, and the crystals make their ap- 
pearance. In fact the sap is lost by evaporation, as in the 
plant it disappears by the suction of the bud ; but it is lost, 
and the same causes bring about the same results. 

Fourth period.—The bud being developed and the branch 
formed, the pith is become useless. It is deprived of all its 
juice ; its cellular tissue, whose cells are become large, is dried 
up completely ; the desiccation has separated all the layers of 
cells, and a considerable number of discs have been formed ; 
brown dry discs formed by the empty cells, without and within 
which the salts have crystallized in different forms. This is 
the period of death. 

What we have just proved in the case of the Begonia, we 
are able to see going on, with some few modifications, in 
Juglans regia, which offers several facts worthy of remark, and 
of which we shall speak briefly. 

The greater part of the buds of this tree are supported on 
short branches ; in this case the pith which is compact and 
without cavities is also very short, so that that which is formed 
of discs rises very high in the branch (fig. 6.). But it is by no 
means necessary to stop till the end of the first year, as M. 
DeCandolle has said, to see this compact pith converted into 
disciferous pith: it happens in the first year, and that at a 
very early period. The dissection, fig. 6 dis, clearly shows 
that the pith in the vicinity of the buds is quite full of juices, 
and that its separation into discs begins in the middle en 


82 Prof. C. Morren on the discoid Piths of Plants. 


cone, as if the removal of the nutritive matter first took place 
there. 

The compact pith in the walnut tree is composed of a num- 
ber of small cells nearly in the form of cubes, all equal to one 
another, white, transparent, having very few globules, but 
containing at a very early period masses of small crystals, or 
true muriform calculi, which occupy the centre of the cells. 
At a later period, when the pith separates into discs, and dies, 
the cells undergo very few modifications. 

I sought on a walnut tree a branch whose young shoot was 
very long. The terminal bud was separated from the last leaf 
but one by an internode of nine centimetres in length. Then 
came a leaf at five centimetres distance, and another eleven 
centimetres lower down. On this branch the pith was full 
at twelve centimetres lower than the terminal bud; but at 
each leaf bearing a bud in its axil, the pith was perforated by 
some lenticular cavities, as may be seen at A. fig. 7. Here 
the action of the bud in emptying the pith is fully evident, 
anda better proof could not be brought that it is really to the 
absorbing action of the bud that we owe the division of the 
pith into discs. 

I cut this long branch into two and dried it. The next day 
the compact pith had lost its liquid to so great a degree that 
the stem was hollowed into a gutter; the slits were greatly 
increased, but the membrane formed by the pith was also seen 
dried up and covering the bottom of the gutter formed by the 
half of the stem slit longitudinally ; this membrane was also 
raised by as many hollow vesicules as there would have been 
lenticular cavities if the stalk had remained entire: here is a 
manifest proof that there is in the constitution of the pith a 
predisposition to separate thus into discs, and this predispo- 
sition consists in nothing more than the manner in which 
the layers of the cells are placed. 

Figure 8. shows what happens when the pith is regularly 
exhausted by the suction of the bud. Then such regular dises 
form with two or three (or even more) roots and intermediate 
discoid cavities (e, f, fig. 8.). A part of the pith adheres to 
the ligneous tube and does not split (d, fig. 8.). 

I examined the discs formed by this old, dry, dead pith. 


Prof. C. Morren on the discoid Piths of Plants. 83 


The cells (fig. 9.) remain the same, cubic, somewhat transpa- 
rent, and forming two or three layers in the centre with a 
massive root (A, fig. 9.) either surrounding the disc or di- 
vided. Some cells have their crystalline calculi also in the 
centre, but the greater part of such crystals are scattered 
outside the cells and fall off when the branch of the walnut 
tree is opened. 

We know that this tree diffuses a powerful odour, owing to 
the evaporation of a very subtle volatile matter, which has a 
deleterious effect upon some persons, who suffer from head- 
ache when they sleep under the tree or handle any part of it. 
In the numerous dissections which I have made of the plant 
in my study I have felt this effect myself. All the parts of 
the plant are full of this empyreumatic matter. We know 
that in Circassia the tree is bored in the spring to draw off a 
liquid matter which coagulates and which the Circassians use 
in debilitant diseases and in affections of the lungs*. 

I was very much surprised to find a resinous substance in 
the old pith of this tree, which accumulates on the discs, 
and there forms very singular tear-shaped masses (fig. 9. ¢.). 
These yellow masses have a multitude of different peculiar 
figures, but in general they are tuberosities supported by feet, 
the parts of which radiate in order to place and attach them- 
selves on the medullary discs. On the tuberosities there are 
projections of tissue also radiating, and all the tissue itself of 
these masses is as it were granulated with a tendency to irradi- 
ation. This is explained at fig. 9. im c, where I have drawn 
one of these masses with two feet. 

The existence of this substance in this place would lead us 
to think that in the exhaustion of the pith by the bud all the 
substances are not equally absorbed, and that some of them 
remain in the exhausted pith, which would then become not 
only an alimentary organ of the bud, a reservoir of air, but 
also a place of deposit, or, if we choose, a species of cloaca 
where substances henceforward useless accumulate. I know 
not whether pith has as yet been considered in this latter 
point of view, but the inorganic crystals accumulated in some 


* See the excellent work of Dr. Lindley, Flora Medica. London, 1838, 
p-. 808, 


84 Prof. C. Morren on the discoid Piths of Plants. 


of them, and the deposition of the resinous matter, which we 
have seen exists in the pith of walnut trees, authorizes us to 
think thus. 

I said above that nothing was more unequal than the dis- 
tribution of the discoid piths in the different species of the 
same genus. If the examples which I have quoted are not 
sufficient, I will take the genus Jasminum, where Jasminum 
azoricum, L., offers a dense continuous pith filled with juice, 
and Jasminum officinale a discoid pith. That of the last spe- 
cies being sufficiently known, I have preferred, for multiply- 
ing examples and consequently our knowledge, to investigate 
the Jasminum fruticans, L., whose beautiful little pith offers 
the most delicate diaphragms that can be seen: we might 
suppose it to be a section of some vein with valves, when it is 
cut across; but this pith is one of the most interesting for ex- 
hibiting the real object which nature had in emptying the 
piths in favour of the bud; for here the phenomena of nutri- 
tion are so capable of appreciation, that it is one of the best 
examples to give in a course of vegetable physiology. 

I stop then to examine the Jasminum fruticans. 

If'we take the top of the flowering stalk of this species, we 
find a continuous pith, the nearly cubic cells of which present 
a great quantity of little granules. If tincture of iodine is 
passed over a section of this stalk all the pith and cellular en- 
velope instantly become blue. The fact is that both are filled 
with fecule, these granules being nothing else. At that time 
the two reservoirs of fecule, stained blue by iodine, are dis- 
tinctly separated by the fibres of the ligneous system, which 
do not become blue. 

If a subjacent internode is taken where the medullary discs 
are already formed, and if the preparation is passed through 
tincture of iodine, we first see the cellular envelope become 
blue, then two blue lines within the fibrous system ending at 
the discs of the pith, which are of a paler blue. At this period 
the fecule in fact still exists throughout the cellular system, 
but in a smaller quantity in the centre of the pith, where it 
has been absorbed to the advantage of the buds. 

Lastly, if we take an older internode, the iodine only co- 
lours the exterior system, and two lines of the pith, those of 


Prof. C. Morren on the discoid Piths of Plants. 85 


its circumference; in a vertical section of the stalk the discs 
remain without colour, but their roots become blue. Figure 
10. represents this. The cells a. contain some fecule 8. at- 
tached to their partition; the cells c, d. have their fecule in a 
mass in the centre of their cavity ; and the cells of the discs 
e, f, g- have no longer any fecule at all. Here we may per- 
ceive, and there is no better way, the absorption of this nu- 
tritive substance, after which the pith dries up and separates 
its layers of cellules. 

In fact, in Jasminum fruticans, where the pith is like a lace- 
net, the discs are extremely fine ; which arises from their being 
formed by a single plane of very small cells. There is then not 
the slightest occasion, as has been supposed, for the cells to 
be great in order for the pith to slit into discs. Here they 
are of the smallest size. 

In Jasminum officinale the discs are also so minute that 
the cells sometimes separate, and thus leave real holes by 
which the cavities communicate with one another. This dis- 
position allows the pith of this plant to be injected, especially 
with wax made red with cinnabar, and when cold it is one of 
the most beautiful preparations of vegetable anatomy. I have 
some stems thus preserved in the museum at Liége. 

The Phytolacca decandra presents enormous lenticular 
cavities, as figure 12. shows (e.), the intermediate discs of 
which are also very thick. The tissue which forms them is 
a prismenchyma with very large cells, which is the opposite 
of the jessamine, and proves that the size of these bodies has 
nothing to do with the separation of the pith into discs. 
These cells have numerous clusters of acicular crystals be- 
tween them (d, fig. 13.), and in the cells themselves very small 
globules are seen. ‘The membranes are very full of folds, but 
here also, when we dissect with care, we find no broken cells 
nor a true rent. 

It is proved then, by these numerous examples, that a dis- 
organization of tissue does not exist in the formation of these 
cells. The pith is exhausted by furnishing the bud with its fe- 
cule, as does the cotyledon ; but if this then changes into a leaf 
in the epigeous plants, by turning its diachyma green, the pith 
on the contrary from being green becomes blanched and com- 


86 Prof. C. Morren on the discoid Piths of Plants.” 


pletely exhausted, and remains a vehicle for air and reservoir of 
excreted substances, henceforward of no use for vegetable life. 


EXPLANATION OF PLATE II. 
Fig. 1. Transverse section of the stem of a young Begonia argyrostigma. 
A, B, C. Great grooves of the pith. 
a, b, c. Small grooves of the pith. 
Fig. 2. Vertical section of a similar stem. 
A. Node. 
B. Upper internode. 
C. Lower internode. 
a. Derm. 
b. Mesophlceum. 
c. Ligneous system. 
d. Nodal diaphragm. 
e. Pith. 
f. Slit of the pith. 
Fig. 3. Vertical cut of an old stalk of the same plant. 
. Node. 
. Upper internode. 
. Lower internode. 
Derm. 
. Reticulated mesophloeum. 
. Ligneous system, very much developed. 
. Nodal diaphragm. 
e. Medullary discs. 
f. Medullary cavities. 
g- Roots of the discs. 
Fig. 4. Young pith very much enlarged. 
a. Vessels of the medullary sheath. 
b. Vertical cells with fecule. 
c. Shorter feculiferous cells. 
d. Prismatic cells with fecule. 
c'—d', Fecule. 
e. Cells where the fecule disappears. 
jf. Crystals. 
g. Nucleus. 
t. Septa of very minute cells. 
k. Cells of the discs. 
l. Angle of the cavity. 
m. Cavity. 
Fig. 5. Old disc cut. 
a. Dry cells folded. 
c. Rare globules. 
d, Folds. 
e, f. Crystals. 


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WO. Jasminum (rutvcans. 12-1)L hylolacca decanira 


Prof. C. Morren on the discoid Piths of Plants. 87 


Fig. 6. Cells seen from the top of the dise in Begonia argyrostigma. 
a. Folds. | 
b. Globules. 
Fig. 6 bis. Bud of Juglans regia cut open longitudinally. 
a. Derm. 
. Mesophlceum. 
. Ligneous system. 
. Medullary discs. 
. Compact pith. 
. Pith of the terminal bud. 
. Scar of the leaf. 
Fig. 7. Branch of Juglans with very compact pith. 
A. Bud corresponding to the 
a. Medullary cavities. 
b. Other medullary cavities. 
ce. Compact pith. 
Fig. 8. Old dead branch of Juglans regia. 
a. Derm. 
b. Mesophloeum. 
c. Ligneous system: 
d. Medullary discs. 
e. Roots of these discs. 
jf. Medullary cavities. 
Fig. 9. Isolated disc, much enlarged, taken from an old branch. 
A. Root of the disc. 
B. Disc. 
a. Empty cells. 
b. Crystalliferous cells. 
c. Mass of resinous matter. 
Fig. 10. Discs of Jasminum fruticans. 
a. Cells which are void. 
b. Fecule 
c, d. Cells still replete with fecule. 
e, f, g. Discs with empty cells. 
Fig. 11. Branch of Jasminum fruticans. 
Fig. 12. Section of the stalk of Phytolacca decandra. 
| a. Derm. 
b. Mesophlceum. 
c. Wood. 
d. Medullary discs. 
e. Empty spaces. 
Fig. 13. Cells of the discs. 
a, Cells. 
b. Folds. 
c. Globules. 
d. Clusters of crystals. 


A “Sa Qs 


88 Dr. Philippi on two new Species of Euplocamus. 


X.—Zoological Notices. By Dr. A. Patuipr1*. 
[ With a Plate.] 
1. On two new species of Euplocamus. 


T'wo new species, which appear to be rare in the Neapolitan 
sea, are added to my genus Euplocamus, which stands between 
Doris and Tritonia, and with only two species of which I was 


previously acquainted, E. croceus from the Sicilian sea, and _ 


E. claviger (Doris claviger,O. F. Miller). They were disco- 
vered by M. Arcangelo Scacchi, who is the best acquainted with 
the Conchylia of this neighbourhood, and has rendered some 
services of no slight value to the cause of science by several 
papers published on this subject, which appear to be entirely 
unknown out of Italy +. Since he has for some time devoted 
his attention exclusively to the study of mineralogy he has 
allowed me to make known his discoveries to the public, and 
I commence with the present notices; at the same time I may 
observe that not only has he kindly committed to my care his 
drawings made from life for this purpose, but also the animals 
in spirit for my use, The one species I call 

Euplocamus frondosus ; corpore croceo, verruculoso, branchiis ana- 

libus 5, bipinnatis; lateralibus utrinque 6, anticisque 4, arbo- 
rescenti divisis, Plate III. fig. 1. 

The specimen preserved in spirits is greatly contracted ; its 
length amounts to 13”, its breadth 8", its thickness 6"; it is 
quite colourless and only exhibits a small grayish space arising 
from confluent points. The drawing represents an animal 28!" 
long and 11" broad, truncate in front, behind narrower and 
somewhat tapering. Otherwise the animal is nearly quadrate, 
the upper lateral margins unite posteriorly before the apex, at 
the same time losing somewhat in distinctness, and each car- 
ries six branchie. The front and upper margin carries four 
of them, which are somewhat smaller than the side branchie, 

* Translated from Wiegmann’s ‘ Archiv.’ Part 2, 1839. 

+ Lettero di Arcangelo Scacchi su vari testacei napoletani al Signor D. 
Carlo Tarentino. Napoli 1832.—Osservazioni zoologiche di A. Scacchi. 
Napoli 1833.—Notizie intorno alle Conchiglie ed a zoofiti fossili che si tro- 
vano nelle vicinanze di Gravina in Puglia di Arcangelo Scacchi. Articolo 
estratto de XII. a XIII. fascicolo degli anali civili, Napoli 1836.—Cata- 


logus Conchyliorum Regni Neapolitani que usque adhuc reperit A. Scacchi. 
Neapoli 1836. 


ee 


Am , Nat, Fist No\. WPL. 


LS a oe 


Dr. Philippi on two new Species of Kuplecamus. 89 


but are otherwise perfectly similar. Both are arborescently 
ramified. The anal branchie are situated nearly in the same 
line with the penultimate side branchiz, are five in number, 
the odd one bent forwards and bipinnate. They appear 
not to be retractile. The anus stands directly behind them 
in the form of a small tube. The mouth is situated on the 
front side inferiorly, and exhibits in the specimen preserved 
in spirits a perpendicular fissure and several cross folds. At 
some distance in front of this is situated on each side an oval 
epidermal fold, which in an expanded state must form mode- 
rately long inferior tentacula. The dorsal tentacula are 5!" 
long in the drawing, and consist as in Doris of a cylindrical 
stem and a pointed foliaceous club ; they are also in like man- 
ner retractile into cavities, as proved by the specimen in spi- 
rits, where only two curved apertures are to be seen in their 
place. The orifice for the organs of generation is on the right 
side, somewhat before the third branchia. The colour is 
orange-yellow, with some scarlet-red points. The small warts 
represented in the drawing cannot be distinguished on the 
preserved specimen. Euplocamus croceus approaches by its 
colour and other characters near to the present species; but it 
is certainly distinguished, 1. by smaller size and especially far 
less breadth; 2. the lateral branchie are proportionally much 
longer, and only ramified once; 3. the anal branchiz are al- 
most simple, and only furnished with a pair of short filaments 
towards the clavate extremity. 

‘Euplocamus cirriger ; sordide roseus, branchiis lateralibus utrinque 
5, anticisque 4, filiformibus, branchiis analibus 9, filiformibus, 
ciliatis branchiis? succedaneis filiformibus in dorso quinque. 
Plate III. fig. 2. 

The specimen in spirits, appearing but slightly contracted, 
measures 8!" in length, 3! in breadth, 21" in height; the 
drawing is 18!" long and 6" broad. The form of the body is 
again parallelopiped, truncate in front, narrower posteriorly ; 
the foot however projects further out than in the other spe- 
cies, and terminates posteriorly with a subulate filament, which 
is not represented in the drawing. The upper border or the 
margin of the cloak also projects in the form of a narrow epi- 
dermal fringe. On each lateral margin are five long filiform 

Ann. Nat, Hist. Vol.4. No.22. Oct. 1839. I 


90 Dr. Philippi on the animal of Pileopsis Garnoti. 


branchiz (in the preserved specimen they still measure 23!"), 
of which the two last are furcately divided, the front margin 
has four similar merely somewhat shorter filaments, but be- 
sides these there are five similar, only somewhat still smaller 
filaments on the baek, between the dorsal tentacula and the 
anal branchiz, viz. three in the central line and one on each 
side before the latter. The anal branchie amount to nine, 
are filiform, directed with the exception of the single one ante- 
riorly and furcate, simple, all ciliated on both sides. The anus 
is situated in the centre. The dorsal tentacula stand in a line 
with the first lateral branchiz and are very long; as it appears 
they are not retractile. The frondose club is very long in 
them. The mouthis situated on the front margin close above 
the foot, and I do not find in them the tentacula labialia 
mentioned in the preceding species ; the parts however are too 
much contracted to admit of my denying their presence. The 
sexual orifice is situated on the right side between the first 
and second lateral branchiz. 


Puate Ill. Fig. 1. Luplocamus frondosus, after a drawing of M. Scacchi. 
Fig. 2. Euplocamus cirriger, after a drawing of M. Scacchi.. 


2. On the animal of Pileopsis Garnoti, Payr.; Patella Garnoti, 
Phil. Enum. Moll. Sicilia. Plate III. fig. 3. 


That Pileopsis Garnoti, Payr., is not placed in its correct 
genus, was evident to me when occupied with my ‘ Enume- 
ratio,’ but I was not more fortunate than Payrandeau, in re- 
ferring it to Patella, The impression of the muscle compared 
with the whorl ought to have taught me that the vertex stands 
posteriorly and not in front as in Patella; however I may 
mention in excuse that the correct recognition of the impres- 
sion of the muscle is very difficult with the strong lustre of 
the inner side. I lately had an opportunity of finding the 
living animals on a mass of Cladocora calycularis, Ehrenb. 
(Caryophyllia calycularis, Lamk.). It differs essentially from 
Patella. Instead of the round head with the two filiform ten- 
tacula, the head is flat, foliaceously expanded in front, deeply 
excavated in the centre where the mouth lies, and no tentacula 
exist; perhaps, however, it may also be said that the dorsal 
tentacula cohere with the ventral into a broad mass, for the 


Dr. Philippi on the animal of Pileopsis Garnoti. 91 


front and inferior part is easily distinguished from the upper 
thicker part. yes are distinct on the outside of the head. 
The perfect mantle surrounds the whole shell, presents no 
incision, no siphon, and between it and the oval foot there is 
not a single organ to be found. A specimen thrown into spi- 
rits gave more information respecting the internal structure 
as the intestines shine through the thin peritoneum. The en- 
tire hinder space of the body was occupied by the brown liver, 
as also a part of the right side; the ramified processes of the 
liver could be plainly distinguished on it. To the right was 
situated a reddish organ, probably the ovarium. Above the 
liver, posteriorly and to the left, is situated the intestinal canal 
with a convexity directed backwards and bending anteriorly 
and to the right, it disappears before the right end of the 
muscle which fastens the animal to the shell; in front of the 
liver is moreover situated a white organ, the functions of which 
I do not venture to indicate; and in front of this, occupying 
nearly half the space, appears a cavity, in which an organ with 
a form closely resembling a folded ruff proceeds nearly par- 
allel with the intestinal canal, and above is adherent to the 
peritoneum and is evidently the branchia. I now also suc- 
ceeded in passing a hair through this hole exteriorly, which 
even appears in front on the right side before the anal aper- 
ture in the rather thick border of the mantle, where on more 
accurate examination I found a small black point. On ac- 
count of the minuteness of the animal no separate anal aper- 
ture and branchial aperture can be perceived externally. I 
could not discover an orifice for the sexual apparatus. After 
I had found this out it was easy for me to notice on the 
few shells at my disposal that they are somewhat promi- 
nent in the vicinity of the branchial aperture. From the 
irregularity of the shell it requires great attention to discover 
it. But to what genus does the animal belong? This is a 
question which, from the entire want in this place of literary 
auxiliary means, I am not able to answer. The first thought 
is on Siphonaria, but as far as I can recollect, the horseshoe- 
like impression of the muscle is interrupted in this genus by 
the siphon ; in the present species the right arm of the horse- 
shoe is merely shorter than the left. Moreover the animal is 
H 2 


92 Dr. Philippi on the animal of Galeomma. 


said to be blind (Cfr. Rang, ‘ Manuel de Malacologic,’ p. 141.), 
Does it belong to Eschholtz’s genus Aemea? or must it form 
a distinct one, as M. Scacchi thinks, whé ealls it Clypeus in 
his ‘ Catalogus,’ p. 17, without however saying more of the 
animal than “ incola ut in Siphonaria, sed testa non canalicu- 
lata?” Iwill add in conclusion, that the following statement 
of Rang, l. c. p. 142. “ nous avons vu de jeunes Patelles avoir 
le caractére des Siphonaires et en conserver des traces dans un 
dge plus avancé,” probably relates to species of this genus, and 
not to young Patelle. 


Puate III. Fig. 3. Pileopsis Garnoti, Payr. 

a, The animal after the removal of the shell, magnified. four times. 
The horse-shoe-form ligamentary muscle, the liver, the ova- 
rium, the end of the intestinal canal, and in front the respiratory 
cavity with the branchize. 

5. The animal with the shell, magnified three times, to show the 
form of the head and the eyes. 


3. Onthe Animal of Galeomma. Plate III. fig. 4. 


This very remarkable Acephalous genus was established by 
Turton in 1825 in the ‘ Zoological Journal, and thus charac- 
terized from the shell: shell bivalve, equivalve, equilateral, 
transverse ; with a large oval gape at the front margin. Hinge 
without teeth. Ligament internal. Two very small distant 
muscular impressions ; impression of the mantle simple. So 
also Deshayes in Lamarck’s ‘ Hist. Nat. d. Anim. sans Ver- 
tébres,’ (2nd edit. vi. p. 179.) Animal unknown. M. Costa 


also found the shell and has described it somewhere in the - 


€ Annales des Sciences Naturelles,’ (in the absence of M. Costa 
I cannot state more accurately where, as the entire series of 
this Journal does not exist in Naples) under the curious name 
of Hiatella Poliana, which escaped M. Deshayes. M. Delle 
Chiaje has thought to correct his countryman by naming the 
questionable animal Hiatella striata m the tables to the 5th 
volume of his ‘ Memorie,’ which will never see the light. M. 
Scacchi has described the animal very accurately, carefully, and 
well under the name of Parthenope formosa in his ‘ Observa- 
zioni Zoologiche,’ p. 8 and p.19. I have also been so fortu- 
nate as to observe for some days several living specimens. It 
occurs between the roots of Zostera or Cavolinia oceanica, but 


Dr. Philippi on the Oculina ramea of Ehrenberg. 93 


appears to be rare. The animal is entirely white, semi-trans- 
parent. The manile is split in its whole anterior half for the 
exsertion of the foot, the margin is entire; behind there is a 
small aperture for the exit of the water and the excrements. 
Where the mantle quits the margin of the shell there are on 
each side eight or nine short cirri or rather warts. Between 
the vertex and the aperture of the foot there is also one, and 
between the vertex and the posterior aperture three warts. 
The epidermis is highly remarkable ; it easily frees itself from 
the shell which is quite enveloped by it, and hangs to the 
mantle (a in fig. 4 d.) ; it appears therefore to retain constantly 
its organization, while in most bivalves it very rapidly dies, 
yet I would not with M. Scacchi call the shell interior. The 
foot is nearly cylindrical and can be stretched out to a great 
length, but it never produces jumping motions, but crawls with 
its white under surface quite after the manner of the Gaste- 
ropods, even up the smooth perpendicular side of a glass, 
which by the bye I have also seen done by Lucina commutata. 
Thrown into spirits the animal exhibits at the base of the foot 
a cavity surrounded by a circular prominence, which I sus- 
pected to be an organ for the secretion of a byssus, but not a 
trace of byssus was to be seen either on the roots of the Zos- 
zera or on the glass. When the mantle is cut open in the 
centre an almost globular body makes its appearance, which 
is divided posteriorly by a shallow groove, and on each side are 
seen two large equal branchie terminating free posteriorly. 
On each side in front are two oval moderately large appen- 
dices buccales. 'The two adductors are not evident when the 
animal lies on its back, but are distinctly recognised when in 
the reverse position; the hinder one is roundish, nearer to 
the margin, and somewhat larger than the front oval one. 
The shell has been elsewhere sufficiently described, but I 
would hardly call the hinge callous, and the ligament appears 
to me to be quite internal. A second external one occupies 
the whole margin of the hinge. The two magnified figures 
sufficiently show the form and sculpture. 


4. Oculina ramea, Ehrenberg; Caryophyllia ramea, Lamk. 
Few persons haye seen the animal of this common coral, nor 


94 Dr. Philippi on a new Species of wood-boring Crustacea. 


have I succeeded in obtaining it in a fresh state. M. Scacchi 

however has been so fortunate and has kindly lent me the 
drawing, which I shall subsequently publish if I find it im- 
possible to sketch one myself from the living animal. The 
animal according to this drawing has not the least similarity 
to the false one of Donati, nor even with that of Shaw. Its 
colour is of a dirty yellow falling slightly into orange yellow, 
and it presents about thirty tentacula standing apparently 
in two series. Each one is 3}"' long, nearly 1!" thick at the 
base, and gradually tapering towards the apex, which is not 
elavately thickened. At some distance downwards from the 
tentacula, and extending about 3" to 4" in breadth, is the some- 
what thick and fleshy body which exhibits numerous oblique 
furrows and as many strong longitudinal furrows as there are 
tentacula in one row, and then suddenly gives place on the 
drawing to the thin membrane which covers the coral stem. 
The mouth projects very considerably, nearly 5!" between the 
tentacula, but it can also be greatly retracted. It measures 34!" 
in diameter, and is surrounded by numerous longitudinal folds. 


5. Chelura terebrans, anew Amphipod Genus. Fig. 5. 


On the 17th of May I found at Trieste near the Lazaretto 
Vecchio several planks just drawn from the sea, which were 
eaten through and through, so that they nearly wore the 
aspect of a sponge. The holes were of two kinds; the larger 
ones of at least 2" in diameter, in which were a quantity of 
oviferous Teredo navalis, and the smaller of about 2” in dia- 
meter, in which I found the little crustacean, which will pre- 
sently be described, in such immense numbers that I could 
not doubt for a moment that these holes and galleries had ori- 
ginated from their devouring. Now if it was already inter- 
esting to me to find a second example of a wood-boring crus- 
tacean, my joy at this discovery was greatly increased from 
its not belonging, like Limnoria, to the Isopodes, but being 
an Amphipode, and moreover strikingly distinguished from all 
others by its antennze and more especially by its remarkable 
tail. A great number of specimens have reached Cassel in 
safety, and I only brought two accidentally with me to Naples, 
from which I have drawn out preliminarily the following de- 


Dr. Philippi on @ new Species of wood-boring Crustacea. 95 


scription. The animal, including the antennz and caudal ap- 
pendages, is 42!" long, and without them 23", and about }" 

broad. The head is narrowest, and as long as the two follow- 
ing segments, the body becomes gradually broader from the 
head, without however departing considerably from the linear 
form. The eyes are small and round, the superior antennz of 
moderate length, setaceous, and with seven articulations. The 
inferior antennze are one and a half times as long and consist 
of six articulations, the two first are very short, the remainder 
gradually increase in length, become flatter, and the last are 
densely beset with cilia, so that they appear rather to be an 
organ for swimming than for feeling. The pectoral segments 
are of equal length and have their lateral parts only slightly 
developed. The fail or abdomen consists of five segments > 
the two first resemble the pectoral segments; the third seg- 
ment bears on the centre of the back a long curved horn 
which exactly resembles that of the Sphinx caterpillar, and on 
eaeh side two small tubercles. The fourth segment is one and 
a half times as long as broad, beneath somewhat flat, above 
concave, covered with small protuberances and ciliated on the 
lateral margins. They are especially distinguished by two small 
hooks in the centre of the hinder margin. This segment bears 
on each side two pairs of curious appendages which are arti- 
culated on to its base. The front appendages are perpendicu- 
larly directed and consist of three longish rounded flaps which 
are all thickly beset with long hair, and of which the front 
one is the largest, the hinder one the smallest. The lateral 
pair of appendages perfectly corresponds to one of the caudal 
appendages of the Gammari, and consists of a stalk which 
supports two small acute lamine. The fifth segment is very 
short, exhibits superiorly in a fissure the anus, above in the 

centre, and inserted at its base (or to the hinder margin of the 

fourth segment) an oval lamina, and at its extremity an enor- 
mous pair of pincers, which are nearly twice as long as the two 

Jast caudal segments. Their two lamine are compressed, 

somewhat diverging, attenuated towards the apex, and bent 
in the form of a hook, and they have serrated margins. The 
JSourteen feet increase posteriorly in length, but not consider- 
ably. The two front ones have at their extremity a curved 


96 Account of a Journey across the 


claw, and the tarsus is broad with a diverging tooth. The 
first pair of feet is much broader than the second. The fol- 
lowing feet terminate with a long straight claw but slightly 
curved in the form of a hook at the apex only, the three pos- 
terior have merely a small foliaceous appendiculated member. 
I did not see the branchie at their base, but very distinctly 
the three pairs of pseudo-abdominal feet, which consist of a 
securiform, lamellar basal joint, and two articulated and ci- 
liated spines ; so that there can be no doubt to which order 
of Crustacea this animal belongs. The cibarian apparatus 
seemed to me to consist of a marginated upper lip, a pair of 
mandibulz provided with biarticulated palpi, three (?) or four (?) 
pairs of lamellaceous maxilla, and two sex-articulated foot- 
jaws. 
Prate III. Fig. 5. Chelura terebrans. 
a. The animal lying on its side, magnified four times. 
6. The fourth and fifth caudal segment from above, as it appears 
when it is magnified fifteen times. 
ce. The same from below. The third pair of false abdominal feet 
is evident at the basis. 


d. The first foot seen magnified twenty-five times. 
e. One of the posterior feet with the same power. 


[To be continued. ] 


XI.—Exztracts from a few rough Notes of a Journey across 
the Pampas of Buenos Ayres to Tucuman, in 1835. By 
JAMES TWEEDIE, Esq., addressed to Sir W. J. Hooker. 


{Continued from p.15.] 


Tuis morning, the 26th, we regained the post-road which we 
had left at Pergamena, at 3 leagues beyond the post house of 
Cabeza del Tigere, 320 miles N.W. of Buenos Ayres. Here the 
tract turns more to the west, keeping along the east bank of the 
Rio Corcoufeon, a most delightful tract to behold, being finely 
interspersed with woods of Algaroba and Chaneos, the river gli- 
ding on at the rate of about a mile in the hour, in a deep ravine 
whose sides are nearly perpendicular for 30 or 40 feet, espe- 
cially the east bank where the sun is so powerful as to dry up 
much of the vegetation, while on the west and north-west, 
where it is shaded from the midday rays, the crooked course 


Pampas of Buenos Ayres to Tucuman. 97 


of the river is tracked as far as the eye can reach by the 
abundance of willows that line the banks. There are, how- 
ever, no beautiful slopes and rich holms here, such as grace 
the shores of the Clyde. We halted this day at the deserted 
posthouse of Lobaton, where I found the vegetation bearing 
a striking similarity to that which prevails around Bahia 
Blanca, distant more than 1100 miles. 

27th. We crossed the little river called Salado de Ruiz Diaz, 
whose flat sides, white with a saline incrustation which crushes 
like frost under the foot, are denuded of vegetation for at least 
a hundred yards on either side the stream. At this place we 
had entered the province of Cordova for 20 miles, and after 
passing the river pursued a constantly rising road till we came 
to a posthouse bearing the same name as the river and situated 
at a considerable elevation. The land all around is very bare 
of herbage and dry, but gay with a species of Ovalis and the 
beautiful little Nierembergia gracilis. 1 also found the Eupa- 
torium affine, a charming dwarf perennial. The well was the 
deepest I had seen on the road, 21 feet, but the water was ex- 
cellent. We passed through a dry and thinly inhabited coun- 
try, but looking agreeable from its natural clumps of Algaro- 
bas, &c. The Rio Corcouiieon with its row of willow trees 
lay on our right, its windings marked by these trees ; and our 
road being straight, sometimes it was close to us, at other times 
far distant. We saw several deserted houses and unoccupied 
land, though the latter was of good quality; and passed 
through the town of Fraile Muerto, situated close to the river, 
where there were some spots of fine maize, pompions, French 
beans and tomatos, the latter an indispensable article here. 

80th. Having pursued our journey up the river and gene- 
rally almost parallel to its course for nearly 100 miles, we 
crossed it at Esquina del Ahogada, where its name changes 
from Corcouiieon to Rio Terzero, it being the third river from 
Cordova going to Buenos Ayres. Here commenced a strange 
change in the face of the country, a dense forest prevailing for 
a vast distance, chiefly consisting of Algarobas, of which there 
were several beautiful varieties.» The tops of these trees are 
often charmingly adorned with the purple flowers of a species. 
of mistletoe, whose blossoms are frequently more than an inch 


98 Account of a Journey across the 


long; there are many species of this kind of climber, some 
with clusters of white and others of green flowers, all of them 
finely scented ; and where there was a free opening to the air 
we observed many trees quite covered and killed with loads 
of different kinds of Til/andsia. 'The road through these an- 
cient forests is often so circuitous that we would be going to- 
wards all the different points of the compass in the course of 
one day: frequently again it would become so narrow that 
there was scarcely room for one cart to pass along, and where 
its high lumbering body, swinging from side to side, was com- 
pletely stopped ; so that it was needful to cut away some of 
the branches before it could proceed. Our great line of ve- 
hicles, with the feet of the numerous cattle, raised such a tre- 
mendous cloud of dust, that often one cart was indiscernible 
at the distance of another, and there was not a breath of air 
in these dense forests to carry off the dust. 

On the afternoon of the third day after crossing the river our 
mules all left us on a sudden at full gallop; they had scented 
the water of a large lake 6 miles distant ; but much as we were 
all in want of this necessary of life, nothing but absolute need 
could compel us to use it, the quality was so bad. I had 
gathered, when passing the Rio Terzero, several varieties of 
the Zinnia, an annual in English gardens; the Goodenia tu- 
berosa, and some agreeably scented kinds of Cynanchum : little 
worthy of notice occurred in the dense woods, except 2 or 3 
species of Cactus. 

4th April. We came to the village of Los Ranchos, an- 
other poor place, containing apparently about 800 inhabit- 
ants; the houses are all constructed of unburnt bricks, the 
church partly of this material and partly of burnt bricks: op- 
posite to this building is a large market square, but I saw 
nothing offered for sale except a cart load of beef and a few 
pompions. This place is considered half-way between Buenos 
Ayres and Tucuman. At sunset we crossed the Rio Secundo 
or second river from Cordova, and finding good grass stopped 
all night in a field of Melissa (?) sp. 6—8 feet high, here called 
Boldo, and in great use for dyeing, and by the addition of 
other substances it produces various shades of brown. ‘This 
Rio Secundo was, at the time we now crossed, 200 yards 


Pampas of Buenos Ayres to Tucuman. 99 | 


broad, of a regular depth of 4 feet all across, and gliding 
slowly north-east at about a mile an hour; on our return it 
was quite dried up, and in place of water we found nothing 
but white drifting sand and gravel, brought down from the 
mountains of Cordova. Two more days and nights travelling 
brouglit us to the Rio de Cordova, a fine stream of the clear- 
est water that can be seen in any of these provinces. The 
bottom is stony and gravelly, the stones having been brought 
down from the mountains, 30 miles distant, by the current ; 
for throughout these extensive plains not a vestige of stone or 
metal can be found. 

6th. We rested at the passage of the river for most of the 
day, repairing carts, &c. The town of Cordova is in view, 26 
miles on our left, and appears charmingly situated at the foot 
of a ridge of hills, stretching north-west. While travelling 
through the woods I noticed a Passiflora, and saw several 
species of strong-growing Cactus; and on the steep and dry 
‘banks many of the largest Algarobas were completely killed 
with loads of air-plants, of which great masses hung from 
every branch. 

8th. After passing this river, the road rises considerably, 
proceeding more to the north; its former direction was north- 
west, and is now north-north-west ; the tract over which we 
passed was miserable, dry, and barren in the extreme; a few 
stunted shrubs of Chaneos, Algarobas, and some other species. 
of Mimosa were all that could be seen. One of the latter pro- 
duces a quantity of clear amber gum which distils from its. 
beautifully green bark. At the posthouses we obtained water 
at from 12 to 15 feet from the surface, and in one instance the 
cattle were served with it at the rate of a Spanish dollar for 
100 beasts, the water being raised by a horse in a sheep’s 
hide from a well 5 yards deep. In this dry tract we passed 
over 18 miles, which having been set on fire accidentally by 
a camp, had been left a naked plain of black ashes, with the 
bare stems of the shrubs remaining erect like blackened rods. 
These extensive conflagrations are common in these districts, 
making a splendid appearance by night. With the first shower 
that falls on the scorched ground a lovely crop springs up, 
consisting of Ovalis, red, yellow, and rose-coloured, mingled 


100 _ Account of a Journey across the 


with different kinds of Amaryliis, which spread a carpet of 
bloom resembling a richly stocked flower-garden. 

14th. We came to the little chapel of San Juan, where, 
though the village consists of but 3 Ranchos, there is a pui- 
peria or tippling dram-shop. <A day was passed in repairing 
the carts, all of which had become loose and rickety from the 
long drought. No iron is used in the construction of these 
vehicles ; even the wheels are unshod, the trams being made 
of hard Algareba wood, which lasts a long time, often several 
years, on the stoneless roads of this country. 

This place was the last post house in the province of Cor- 
dova going north-west, and here, as we were on the ridge of a 
mountain, we found the vegetation much more varied than of 
late ; the Cactus tribe were especially numerous and varied ; 
one specimen of the broad-branched kind struck me particu- 
larly, its white strong spines measuring from 6 to 9 inches in 
length; and the tree itself, of a conical shape (the cone re- 
versed), with its huge body of bushy and numerous flat 
branches, could not be of less weight than 10 to 12 tons. 
There are also several Mimosas of different species; that 
which is called from its hooked thorn Garro-Vato (Grip the 
Goat) abounds ; varying much, but always preserving a slender 
mode of growth and fine short pinnated leaves: unfortunately 
none of these were in flower. I also observed the Jormillio, a 
slender ever-flowering shrub, with small gummy leaves ; the 
whole plant has a dry brown singy appearance; and a curious 
frutescent Solanum, whose long, oval, scarlet fruit is generally 
as empty as a bladder. Here also I found a beautiful shrub 
much resembling an apricot, its fruit ; which is small and yel- 
low, the natives assure me, when ripe, is not inferior to a good 
plum; but as the season was passed, I only picked up a few 
dry kernels, which also bore a great similarity to those of the | 
apricot; at the lowest part of the bush was a small branch in 
flower: it is called here Patta. 

In this neighbourhood I noticed the effects of the earth- 
quake which had taken place while I was travelling in August 
of last year: pits, of various forms and depths, had opened, 
some only 4 feet deep, while of others we could not find the 
bottom; also a large deep rent or ravine, crossing our road, 


Pampas of Buenos Ayres to Tucwman. 101 


but since nearly filled up with mud: the wells, from the same 
cause, now only afford muddy water, and the natives are con- 
tent to use what they can obtain from a pool, which occupy- 
ing the centre of a field and receiving all the washing of the 
neighbourhood, tastes far too strong of cattle to be palateable. 
Yet these indolent people make no attempt to obtain a better 
supply of this needful element. For the same reason they 
neglect to cultivate the native trees, many of which, such as 
peaches, growing here fine and healthy by the road sides, 
would prove highly valuable with little trouble; but a few 
pompions and maize are all that they care to rear. 

In the afternoon of the 15th we arrived at the Post Del 
Carmen, and entered the province San Jago del Esterro, lying 
at the north-west point of the Cordova mountains. Here the 
road for a short distance was of a fine hard gravel, the first 
I had trodden in any of the Argentine Provinces. 

The Algaroba, hitherto so abundant, now gave place to se- 
veral other kinds of large trees, as the Quebra Halcha, Colo- 
rada or Blanca: this names signifies the Hatchet-breaker, as 
the wood is so hard that a large tree of this sort is rarely 
felled without breaking the hatchet; the Colorada was covered 
with large tufts of red seed, much like the sycamore; while 
the Blanca is distinguished by its small myrtle-like foliage 
and long pendent slender boughs, which give the whole tree 
the appearance of a weeping willow ; its seed is a flat pap-like 
substance, inclosed in large flat white pods hanging in twos, 
threes, and fours at the tips of the slender branches like the 
pendulum of a clock. This tree always grows quite erect till 
it attains the height of 20 to 30 feet, and has a singularly 
majestic appearance. 

We now came to a thickly wooded, but deserted country, 
and travelled for 50 miles without meeting with a single in- 
habitant, though we saw numbers of old Ranchos and the 
ruins of what had been good dwellings. ‘The immense num- 
ber of tigers which infest this district and destroy all the 
cattle, has caused the people to remove and leave to these 
voracious animals the exclusive possession of these extensive 
forests. While our beasts were feeding I took a cautious stroll 
into the woods and came upon what had been an Indian vil- 


102 Account of a Journey across the 


lage, consisting of a few straggling huts, formed of four-forked 
posts, on which were laid unpruned branches which were 
again covered with sods and loose earth, thus merely afford- 
ing a protection from the sun, but none from the cold, these 
huts being entirely open at the sides. Not a human being 
could be seen, though it would appear that this encampment 
was but recently deserted, from the vegetables, pompions, to- 
matos, capsicums, and maize, which now covered the ground, 
as wild and promiscuous as if natives of the soil. In this 
wilderness I observed several of the smal] silver grey fox and 
a large species of hare, with a broad tail like that of the Cape 
sheep. Parrots and paroquets were in vast number, but no 
other birds. Here were some curious Cacti, of large erect 
growth, and 16 angles to the stem, some of the naked pole- 
like branches being upwards of 30 feet high, beset with spines’ 
2 to 4 inches long. The fruit is very small in proportion to 
the size of the species, some single plants sending out more 
than a hundred of these naked pole-like branches, most of 
which were from 6 to 8 inches through, and generally thicker 
at the top than bottom. 

17th. At mid-day we reached the river Saladillo de Gus- 
man, and here we were kept waiting 15 days for its decrease, 
the season being that of its greatest fulness, in consequence 
of the melting of the early fallen snow on the Cordilleras. It 
may seem an extraordinary circumstance, that when travelling 
through a country where man and beast often suffer the ut- 
most distress for want of water, the party should at the very 
same time be arrested by a river whose margins were flooded 
for half a mile on either side beyond the ordinary channel; 
but such was nevertheless the case here, as in other tropical 
countries ; the greater the heat and drought, the more swollen 
are the streams, which diminish in proportion as the weather 
becomes cold and wet. After waiting for two weeks in vain, 
we discovered a place, a considerable way further down, where 
the height of the banks had much contracted the river, and 
with much labour, and after cutting down many trees, our 
carts were dragged to the water’s edge. Another Tropa, con- 
sisting of 11 similar vehicles, having joined us on the one side, 
while another of 13 was drawn up on the opposite bank, 


Pampas of Buenos Ayres to Tucuman. 103 


where a little village of Indian Ranchos or huts was situated 
_ close to the stream, the assemblages of drivers, passengers, 
and large quantities of cattle gave the place the appearance 
for a few days of a Highland fair. Commodities of various 
kinds were brought for sale, among them excellent bread, made 
from the flour of Algaroba pods, no way inferior to wheaten 
flour in taste, being sweet-flavoured, but yellow-coloured and 
slightly purgative at first to those who are unaccustomed to 
it. The husks after passing through the mill are steeped in 
water, which is then fermented and greedily drunk by the 
natives, though to strangers it is a disagreeable dirty mess. The 
remaining husks and sediment are afterwards dried and sold 
in small quantities for chewing, being somewhat sweet-tasted, 
though hardly so good as pea pods would be. These people 
thus lose nothing of their favourite Algaroba, which they 
gather from every tree with the greatest care, and store it up 
on the tops of posts, that it may be secure from the attacks of 
mice, &c. On observing to a native that the Algaroba districts 
of Cordova and San Jago were a most barren plain, he re- 
plied it was true, but as God had given them a dry sterile soil 
he had blessed them with abundance of Algarobas. In ex- 
change for beef we obtained boiled sweet batatoes and chocklos 
or heads of Indian corn, both boiled and roasted; also some 
milk of goats, for no cattle are kept here. 

The task of crossing this river was truly extraordinary : the 
waggons being unloaded, the largest hides with which they 
were covered were taken off, and each, kept outstretched with 
branches of trees and its four corners tied together, formed 
a kind of oblong box, something like a rough canoe, in which 
were then deposited as many goods as it could hold. An old 
Indian woman having contracted to take over our cargo at 20 
reals or 2ds of a Spanish do!lar, she alone waited upon the 
loading of each hide, which was done by our drivers, while 
the dame ordered the mode in which the several articles should 
be placed, paying particular attention to see that the cargo 
should be evenly distributed and the hide set fairly on the water. 
This done, a young girl was employed to swim and drag it be- 
hind her by means of a-small rope fixed to one of the canoes 
over her right shoulder, while she held and dragged by her 


104 Account of a Journey across the Pampas. 


teeth. Each hide carries from 3 to 4 ewt. according to its size. 
The river is here about 100 yards wide. 'To me the task ap- 
peared a very luckless job ; and when my turn came to go with 
my chest, boxes, and a fellow passenger, all launched into an 
ordinary bull’s hide, with a girl, none of the strongest, to drag 
us, I felt considerable doubts of our safety. However no- 
thing went wrong in crossing, either with us or a tropa of 11 
carts, 28 in all, which were thus got over. The men, paid by 
the old woman, of whom there were 11, were occupied in 
dragging our empty waggons across, in which were fixed 
crates of earthenware, some heavy boilers, and other articles 
too large for the hide boat. The passage of the waggons was 
a still more troublesome business; 3 men swam across with 
a long rope of hide, and these men remained at certain dis- 
tances with the rope over their shoulders to keep the water 
from having too great an impression upon it. When over, it 
was fixed to 6 bullocks, and the cart then tossed into the river 
from the opposite side, when it unavoidably disappeared, and 
on arriving at the other bank it was generally found to have 
upset under water; when it was no easy task to set it once 
more upon its wheels. One cart, in particular, occupied most 
of a day. Seven days were again consumed in reloading, &c., 
during which time I made several excursions among the 
woods by the river bank; but from the dryness of the season 
which had clad everything in its autumn or winter garb, very 
little could be found ; I saw some memorable varieties of the 
Cactus family, of all shapes and sizes. There were two spe- 
cies, or rather perhaps vars., of Passiflora; Mimosas were also 
very numerous, among which was one allied to the Algaroba, 
with spines from 4 to 8 inches long; this is called in the coun- 
try Bonilla or Vaniil; its leaves are applied by the natives to 
cure a dim eyesight. ‘This river flows from the south Andes 
in a north-east direction towards the Porana, and having 
traversed a saline tract, becomes so salt that even the cattle 
refused to drink it. We however obtained good and sweet 
water only 4 feet from the surface. 


[To be continued. | 


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Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. 4. No. 22. Oct. 1839, 


106 Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand. 


XITI.—Flore Insularum Nove Zelandiea Precursor; or a Spe- 
cimen of the Botany of the Islands of New Zealand. By 
ALLAN CunNnINGHAM, Esq. 


[Continued from p. 26.} 
PITTOSPORES, R. Br. 


1. Pitrosporum, Banks and Sol. 


612. P. crassifolium, foliis obovatis obtusis basi angustatis admodum co- 
riaceis, supra convexiusculis glabris nitidis venosis, subtus ramulisque cano- 
villosis, pedunculis terminalibus unifloris solitariis, capsulis crassis 3-valvibus. 
Banks and Sol. Ms. 

Tarata, indigenis. R. Cunn. 

New Zealand (Northern Island).—1769, Sir Jos. Banks. On Flat Island, 
one of the Cavallos, and at Matauri on the east coast, opposite those islands, 
&c.—1833, R. Cunningham. 

Frutex orgyalis. Rami stricti, fastigiati, glabri, ramulis cinereis foliatis. 
Folia alterna distincta, vel conferto-verticillata, crassa, valde rigido-coriacea. 
Pedunculus (uncialis) ex apice ramuli inter folia solitarius. Calyx 5-sepalus, 
cinereo-villosus. Petala 5 longitudine sepalorum. Stamina 5 hypogyna, 
petalis breviora. Anthere adnate biloculares. Stylus terminalis, simplex, 
staminibus parum brevior. Ovarium villosissimum. Capsula nucis Avel- 
lane magnitudine, plerumque trivalvis, valvis obovatis lignosis resinosis. Se- 
mina plurima. 

613. P. umbellatum ; foliis obovatis obtusis retusisve interdum apiculatis 
utrinque glabris subtus pallidioribus reticulato-venosis, pedunculis termina- 
libus umbellatis, pedicellis unifloris calycibusque ferrugineo-tomentosis, cap- 
sulis 4-lobis 2-valvibus, caule arboreo. Banks and Sol. Mss. Gert. Fr. i. p. 
286. DC. Prodr. i. p. 347. 

New Zealand (Northern Island).—1769, Sir Jos. Banks. Shores of the 
Bay of Islands.—1826, 4. Cunningham. In woods around Onawero Bay, 
Wangaroa.—1833, R. Cunningham. 

Arbor 20—26 pedalis, formosa, habitu omnino Exkianthi, ramis teretibus 
glabris. olia in ramulis alterna vel conferta subtus pulchre reticulata, pe- 
tiolata. Petiolus subuncialis lucido-coloratus. Flores terminales, rubri, um- 
bellatim dispositi. Calyx 5-sepalus, sepalis lanceolatis acuminatis extus pi- 
losis. Petala 5, oblonga, obtusa, nervosa, sepalis longiora apice revoluta. 
Stamina longitudine styli petalis breviora. Capsula globosa, magnitudine 
Cerasi. 

614. P. engeinoides, omnino glabrum, foliis ellipticis (biuncialibus) acutis 
petiolatis venosis undulatis pellucidis, pedunculis terminalibus brachiato- 
ramosis, pedicellis umbellato-corymbosis multifloris, capsulis (minimis) el- 
lipticis acuminatis bivalvibus, stigmate obtuso. 

New Zealand (Northern Island). Shores of Onawero Bay, Wangaroa.— 
1833, R. Cunningham. 


Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand. 107 


Frutex major. Arbuscula speciosa, aspectu fere facie Eugenia. Ramt 
ramulique teretes, graciles, cortice purpurascente. Folia sparsa, alterna v. 
verticillato-conferta. Flores nondum vidi. Capsula grani Piperis mole, 
bivalvis, glabra, elliptica, acuta, minutissime tuberculata, stylo terminata. 

615. P. tenuifolium, foliis ovatis ovato-oblongisve (1—14 uncialibus) acu- 
tiusculis v. obtusis, adultis utrinque glabris nitidis, marginibus undulatis 
szepeque convolutis crassiusculis, floribus solitariis axillaribus brevipedicel- 
latis, pedicellis fructibusque junioribus, capsulis 3—4 valvibus, Banks and 
Sol. Mss. DC. Prodr. i. p.847. Roem. et Sch. Syst. Veg. vs p:432. Garin. 
Sem. i. p. 286. t. 59. f. 7.—Trichilia monophylla. 4. Rich. Fl. Nov: Zel. 
p. 806. t. 34 bis. 

Mapauriki, indig. R. Cunn, 

New Zealand (Northern Island).—1769, Sir Jos. Banks. Margins of 
forests on the immediate shores of the Bay of Islands.—1826, 4. Cunning- 
ham. At Wangaroa, on the skirts of salt-water inlets—1838, R. Cunning- 
ham. 

Arbor gracilis ornata, 20 pedum altitudine. Rami virgati, erecti, foliosi, 
cortice levi, atro-brunnei. Folia alterna, petiolata, (instar Thee) translu- 
centia, venulosa. Flores axillares, plerumque solitarii.. Pedicellus petiolum 
zequans. Calyx laciniis ovato-lanceolatis ciliatis, corolla plus duplo brevi- 
oribus. Petala atropurpurea, oblonga, apice reflexa, decidua. Ovarium 3- 
v. 4-lobatum subpyriforme, densissime villosum, stylo terminatum. Stigma 
depresso-capitatum, minute papillosum. 


Judging from the figure and description given by M. A. Richard of 
a plant which was gathered in fruit on the coast of New Zealand by 
Capt. D. D’Urville in 1827, and which he has referred to the genus 
Trichilia as above cited, it does appear evident that it is none other 
_ than this species of Pittosporum, which is everywhere abundant on 
the coasts of the Northern Island, and where it was originally disco- 
vered by the naturalists who accompanied our great circumnavigator 
in his first voyage! M. Endlicher designs in a forthcoming disser- 
tation on the Order Meliacee, to refer T. monophylla of Richard, to a 
genus which he has proposed to name Schoutensia. 

616. P. cornifolium, foliis (1—3 uncialibus) oppositis ellipticis obtusis v. 
ovato lanceolatis acutis glabris summis verticillatis, pedunculis terminalibus 
aggregatis villosis unifloris, capsulis 2-valvibus acuminatis extus villosis, ra- 
mulis quandoque pilis cinereis conspersis. 4. Cunn. in Bot. Mag. t. 3161. 
— Pittosporoides verticillata. Banks and Sol. Mss. in Bibl. Banks.—&. foliis 
angusto-oblongis acutis verticillatis sparsisve. 

New Zealand (Northern Island).—1769, Sir Jos. Banks. A shrub grow- 
ing as an Epiphyte on trees, especially on the lofty trunks of the Kaikatea, 
(Dacrydium excelsum, Don.) in humid woods on the banks of the Kana- 
Kana, and other rivers, Bay of Islands, &c.—1826, 4. Cunningham. 

Frutex virgatus, glaber ramis dichotomis, summis subverticillatis, omnino 
supra arborum excelsiorum truncos vivos, inter Astelias epiphyticus. Folia 

12 


108 Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand. 


varia. Pedunculi graciles, 1-flori, 2—6 ad apices ramulorum aggregati un- 
ciales, pilis minutis patulis instructi. Calya 5-phyllus, foliolis subulato-lan-. 
ceolatis patentibus ciliatis. Corolla 5-petala, petalis lineari-lanceolatis acutis 
apice reflexis, deciduis. Stam. hypogyna. Filamenta tubi petalorum sty- 
lique longitudine. Ovarium ovato-lanceolatum dense villosum. Stigma 
spheerico-capitatum. 

617. P. reflecum (R. C. Mss.) fruticosum, ramosum, ramulis villosiusculis 
(pilis cinereis) seepe verticillatis, foliis linearibus confertis glaberrimis apiculo 
sphacelato, super concavis, modice divarieatis arcuato-reflexisve, junioribus 
parce ciliatis, capsulis solitariis terminalibus acuminatis bivalvibus cinereo- 
pilosis. 

New Zealand (Northern Island). Thickets on the slopes of hills at Wan- 
garoa, &c.—1833, A. Cunningham. 

Flores nondum vidi. 2, C. 

618. P. pimeleoides (R. C. Mss.) fruticosum ramulis verticillatis, foliis 
modice patentibus angusto-lanceolatis linearibusve acuminatis, apiculo ob- 
tuso, super concaviusculis glabris subter venosis, marginibus juniorum revo- 
lutis plus minus ciliatis, capsulis solitariis aggregatisve axillaribus v. termi-. 
nalibus acuminatis 2-valvibus, pilis patentibus cinereis conspersis. 

New Zealand (Northern Island). Dry woods on the shores of the Bay of 
Islands, Wangaroa, &c.—1833, R. Cunningham. 

Frutex 2—3 pedalis, duplo major quam in preecedenti, atque folia longiora, 
latiora, et quamlibet patentia non deflexa, capsulis porro crebre aggregatis. 

Nihilominus an species distincta? 

619. P. radicans (R. C. Mss.) caule fruticoso simpliciter ramoso subra-~ 
dicante, ramulis virgatis cinereo-villosis, foliis (uncialiabus) angusto-linea- 
ribus concaviusculis acuminatis erecto-patentibus rectis falcatisve, pagina 
superiore margineque pilis raris iustructis, capsulis terminalibus solitariis 
pilosis. &. C. Mss. 

New Zealand (Northern Island). Growing about the roots of the Kaurs 
(Dammara australis) principally in a forest near the head of the Kana-Kana 
river, Bay of Islands,—1838, R. Cunningham. 


This very distinct species, like the two preceding, has only been 
observed bearing-fruit, which is described in the note that accom- 
panied the specimen, as being very similar to that of P. reflerum, 
but inserted on a somewhat longer pedicle. The habit and leaves 
are however somewhat different®. 


* In herbario meo sequentes sunt pulchre species hujus generis, que in 
Australasia jampridem lectz erant, hucusque indescripte, vel minus cog- 
nite. 

P. rubiginosum ; foliis oblongo-lanceolatis lanceolatisve acuminatis ve- 
nosis sparsis verticillatisve, basi subattenuatis undulato-auriculeformibus, 
adultis superne glabriusculis, inferne ferrugineo-tomentosis pedunculo ter- 
minali multifloro bracteato ramulisque dense rubiginoso-crinitis, floribus 
umbellatis pedicellatis stigmate obtuso late membranaceo, caule fruticoso 
gracili. 


Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand. 109 
DROSERACEA, DC. 


Drosera, LZ. 
620. D. propingua (R. C. Mss.) foliis radicalibus oblongo-spathulatis 


Hab. In ora equinoctiali Novee Cambrie Australis: ad latus Montis 
Cook, prope fluvium Endeavour dictum.--1820, 4. Cunningham. 

P. linifolium ; foliis elliptico-oblongis obtusis acuminatisve petiolatis sub- 
revolutis leviter undulatis adultis super glabris nitidis, subter parc@temen- 
tosis reticulato-venosis floribus paniculato-umbellatis, pedunculis fusco-to- 
mentosis, stigmate obtuso depresso lobate ovarioque dense piloso, capsulis 
bivalvibus, caule arboreo gracili. 

Hab. In ora orientali inter tropicam : ad fluvium Endeavour dict., in locis 
saxosis humidis necnon ad ripas fluvii a littore remotis—1819, 4. Cunning- 
ham. 

Obs. Differs from P. undulatum, Andr., that species having ovate-lan- 
ceolate attenuated leaves, which are smooth on both sides and altogether 
larger aggregate peduncled flowers. 

P. phillyreoides, foliis (1—14 uncialibus) oblongis ovato-lanceolatisve 
mucronatis coriaceis planis utrinque glabris subtus discoloribus obscure ve- 
nulosis, pedicellis lateralibus unifleris solitariis geminisve petiolo duplo lon- 
gioribus. DC. Prodr. i. p. 347.—P. oleifolium, 4. Cunn. Mss. (1822). 

Hab. In ora occidentali, in arenosis aridis Insule Dirk Hartog, 1802, 
Lechenault.—1822, A. Cunningham. ~- 

Frutex robustus, erectus, ramosus, sexpedalis, habitu fere facie Olee. 
#lores —. Capsula aurantia, elliptica, compressa, bivalvis, extus glabra, ru- 
gulosa. 

P. bicolor; foliis lanceolatis coriaceis nervosis obtusiusculis acuminatisve 
marginibus refractis, breviter petiolatis super glabris convexiusculis, subter 
tomentosis, pedunculis unifloris, petalis 4—5ies longioribus terminalibus 
axillaribusve, ramulis tomentosis. Hook. Journ. Bot. i. p. 249.—P. ledifolia. 
A. Cunn. Ms. (1819). 

fab. In insula Van Diemen, in sylvis umbresis valde humidis, inter Da- 
erydia (Heronensia, Nobis) ad sinum Macquarie Harbor dictum, ubi in 
mense Januario floret.—1819, 4. Cunningham.—1831, Ron. Gunn, R. Gul. 
Lawrance. 

Frutex gracilis, concinnus, 5—6 pedum altitudine, ramis valde virgatis 
ferrugineo-tomentosis foliatis. Folia sparsa v. verticillato-conferta subtus 
cinereo- vel fulvo-tomentosa, pilis adpressis. Pedunculus ferrugineo-pilosus. 
Calyx 5-phyllus patens, villosus, coloratus. Petala 5 purpurea, oblonga, 
apice reflexa, sepalis plus duplo longiora. Stamina 5, tubo corollz longiora. 
Anthere oblong, obtuse, adnate, antice, biloculares. Stylus longitudine 
staminum. Stigma lobatum. Ovarium densissime pilosum. 

P. acacioides (A. C. Mss. 1817) foliis (3—4 uncialibus) angusto-lanceo- 
latis basi valde attenuatis petiolatis mucronatis planis aveniis utrinque gla- 
bris concoloribus, pedunculis axillaribus solitariis geminisve petiolo duplo 
brevioribus, ramulis glaberrimis.—P. angustifolia, Lodd. Bot. Cat. t. 1859. 
(1832). 

Hab. In ora meridionali—1802, R. Brown, necnon in interiore, in de- 
sertis prope flumen Lachlan.—1817, 4. Cunningham. 

Arbuscula Deserti; 6—20 pedalis, admodum ornata, maxime gracilis, et 
omnino glaberrima. Rami attenuati debiles, plus minus dependentes. Folia 
alterna, sparsa, versus basin sensim in petiolum vix pollicarem desinentia. 
Flores pedunculati, 1—2 axillares, flavi, Sepalis calycis membranaceis, 
ovalibus, obtusis, tenuissime ciliatis, tubo petalorum ter brevioribus. Petala 


110 Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand. 


sc \po (8—4 unciali) tereti 3—4-floro multoties brevioribus, calyce glaber- 
rima. 

New Zealand (Northern Island). In boggy grounds, in the vicinity of 
the Keri-Keri river, Bay of Islands.—1833, R. Cunningham. 

Obs. D. spathulate, Labill. maxime affinis, que tamen differt, scapo 
compresso, sex- ad duodecim-floro, atque calyce glanduloso. 

621. D. intermedia (R. C. Ms.), foliis longe petiolatis profunde bipartitis, 
lobis linearibus, petiolo compresso, duplo brevioribus, scapo compressiusculo 
(sesquipedali) foliis triplo longiore 12—20-floro, floribus racemosis filiformi- 
pedicellatis. 

New Zealand (Northern Island). In bogs in the country interjacent to 
the Keri-Keri and Waimaté rivers, Bay of Islands.—1833, R. Cunningham. 

Obs. Inter D. binatam et pedatam, proxima priori, que petiolo semitereti, 
foliis duplo ad quadruplum longiore, scapoque tereti vix spithameo, race- 
moque 3—6-floro, facile distinguenda, atque in D. pedata, foliis pedatim di- 
chotomis petiolis paulo brevioribus, scapo (pedali) foliis vix duplo longiore, 
et floribus omnino majoribus, corymbosis, distincta videtur. 


VIOLARIE®, DC. 
Erpretion, DC. in Herb. Lamb. 


Calycis sepalis ineequalia, omnia plus minus deorsum in appendices auri- 
culiformes producta. Petala inzequalia zstivatione convolutiva, inferius 
basi concavum in calear non productum. Stamina 5 approximata, nec 
coalita, ad apicem dentium tori pentagoni inserta. Filamenta basi di- 
latata oblonga, antheras demissius gerentia, lobis antherarum distinctis 
basi subdivergentes. Stamina 2 anteriora dorso appendices subulatas 
nectariferas in calear intrantes gerentia. Ovarium superum. Stigma 
inconspicuum. Capsula trigona, 3-valvis, polysperma. Semina hori- 
zontalia, manifeste carunculata, ovoidea et nitida. 

622. E£. spathulatum, stoloniferum foliis longe petiolatis obovato-rotun- 


apice reflexa, obtusa. Stamina e fauce parum exserta, stylum zquantia. 
Stigma capitatum glanduloso-tuberculatum. Ovarium pilis cinereis laxis 
tenuiter instructum. Capsula aurantia, lato-elliptica, compressa, bivalvis, 
glabra, extus corrugata. 

P. ligustrifolium ; foliis (A—2 uncialibus) angusto-lanceolatis subspathu- 
latisve basi attenuatis petiolatis mucronatis concavis aveniis adultis utrinque 
glabris, subtus pallidioribus, pedunculis 1-floris axillaribus terminalibusve 
petiolos zequantibus, ramulis incano-tomentosis. 

Hab. In littoribus aridis Insule Rottnest, adversum ostium amnis Swan, 
ore occidentalis. —1822, 4. Cunningham. 

Arbuscula altitudine 20 pedum, ramis gracilibus divaricatis, ramulis flex- 
uoso-patentibus propensis foliatis canescentibus. olia sparsa confertaque, 
lanceolata, parum attenuata, glabra, mucrone uncinato, juniora super pilis 
cinereis raris instructa, lores non nobis cogniti. Capsula sordido-flava, 
obelliptica, compressa, bivalvis, stylo brevi terminata. Stigma capitatum, 
lobatum, levigatum. 


Bibliographical Notices. 111 


datis dentato-repandis glabris, petiolis asperis, pedunculis filiformibus, flori- 
bus nutantibus, caleare brevissimo. G. Don, Syst. Gard. i. p. 334.—Viola 
Sieberiana, Spreng. Syst. Veg. App. p. 68. 

New Zealand (Northern Island). Among fern, near the Mission House 
on the Keri-Keri river, Bay of Islands.—-1833, 2. Cunningham. 


{To be continued. ] 


BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


Principles of General and Comparative Physiology, intended as an in- 
troduction to the study of Human Physiology, and as a Guide to the 
Philosophical Pursuit of Natural History. By William B. Car- 
penter, M.R.C.S., late President of the Royal Medical and Royal 
Physical Societies of Edinburgh, &c. &c. With 240 Figures on 
Copper and Wood. London, 1839. 


Few errors in the mode of pursuing science are more common than 
to commence the study of some particular branch without that pre- 
liminary knowledge which is most likely to render it interesting and 
profitable. This is especially the case in the sciences of natural hi- 
story and physiology. How frequently ‘we observe young persons 
zealously devoting themselves to some department of botany,—the 
collection of the Phanerogamia of Great Britain for example,—with- 
out thinking it worth while to make themselves acquainted with 
aught beyond their simple external characters, and thus losing the 
pleasure which the contemplation of the structure of these plants, and 
of the analogies of their organs with those of the Cryptogamia on 
the one hand and of animals on the other, cannot fail to afford to 
those who properly seek for it, besides foregoing many opportunities 
of contributing something to the common stock of knowledge! 
Scarcely less common is it to meet with those who imagine them- 
selves to be diligent zoologists, when their endeavours are solely di- 
rected to the acquisition of the most complete collection of shells, 
of whose inhabitants they know nothing, or of the most perfect se- 
ries of butterflies or beetles, whose wonderful transformations and 
beautiful internal structure are regarded by them with indifference. 
The mere collector has little idea how much enjoyment he loses by 
not carrying his inquiries further, that is to say, if he have a soul 
capable of such enjoyment, and not entirely engrossed with the 
amor habendi. Even among those who possess a truly scientific 
knowledge of individual branches of natural history it is but too 
common to discover but a superficial acquaintance with others, such 


112 Bibliographical Notices; 


as is calculated rather tomislead than to guidethem in their researches. 
And among physiologists it is but recently that the great truth has 
been generally recognised, that the study of the structure and func- 
tions of the inferior classes of organized beings is capable of afford- 
ing the most important assistance in the solution of the many difficul- 
ties which attend the investigation of the phenomena of life in man. 

The object of the volume before us is to supply the means of at- 
taining such knowledge within moderate limits; and, by presenting 
a comprehensive survey of the whole organized creation, to afford 
the best preparation for the successful pursuit of any line of inquiry 
that may suit the taste and opportunities of the student of nature. 
The author has not contented himself with a superficial view, how- 
ever, as from its brevity it might be supposed to be, but has endea- 
voured to introduce his readers to the highest departments of phy- 
siology and natural history, by a simple exposition of such general 
laws as have been discovered to preside over their varied phenomena, 
and, by a judicious selection of facts, to make the application of these 
laws and the path to be followed in search of others fully intelligible. 
Among the leading features of the work are the rank given to vege- 
table physiology, and the original manner in which this subject is 
treated. We are not acquainted with any treatise on this depart- 
ment of science in which the Cryptogamia receive a due share of atten- 
tion. By British writers they have been especially neglected, the 
structure and functions of the flowering plants alone being treated 
of in any detail. In this work, however, we find not only a general 
survey of the whole vegetable kingdom, in which its principal natu- 
ral groups are all delineated on the same scale, but a detailed view 
of each system of organs, which is traced from its first appearance 
in the lower members of the series up to its perfect evolution in 
the highest. We are thus led to perceive the gradual specialization 
of each function by the restriction of it to some portion of the or- 
ganism particularly adapted to perform it, and this is shown to 
take place also during the evolution of the embryo of any one of the 
highest tribes of vegetables. We believe then that Mr. Carpenter may 
fairly claim the credit of having applied to the vegetable kingdom 
the general law based by Von Baer upon his examination of the ani- 
mal world, that, both in the ascending scale of creation and in the 
development of any single being, ‘‘ a heterogeneous or special struc- 
ture arises out of one more homogeneous or general, and this by 
a gradual change.’’ We shall illustrate this position by giving an 
abridgement of the section which treats of the absorbent system in 
plants, and this will afford us an opportunity of explaining another 


Bibliographical Notices. 113 


law, propounded by our author himself, which may be regarded as a 
sort of corollary to the former. 

In the lowest cellular plants every part of the surface appears 
equally concerned in the function of absorption. This is most evi- 
dent in those simple protophytes usually classed among the Algae, 
which consist of an aggregation of insulated vesicles, each of which 
may almost be regarded as a distinct individual. Thus the surface of 
one of the cells of the Protococcus nivalis may be regarded as all root. 
In the higher genera of this group the separate vesicles no longer 
maintain their individuality, but form part of one definite structure. 
Still the whole surface appears to be endowed with the power of ab- 
sorption in nearly an equal degree ; and though the semblance of a 
stem and roots occasionally presents itself, these appear to have no 
other function than to give attachment to the frondose expansion. 
There is no transmission of fluid from one part to another, each cell 
deriving from the surrounding medium, or from the surcharged cells 
in its immediate neighbourhood, the fluid essential to its existence. 
It is in the Lichens that we find the first specialization of the absorb- 
ent function, by the restriction of it to the side least exposed to the 
sun and air, whilst the reproductive function, which in the Alg@ was 
common to nearly the whole frond, is here confined to the other sur- 
face. In some lichens we find radical filaments developed from the 
absorbent surface, the first indication of special organs for the pur- 
pose. In the Fungi the separation between the nutrient and repro- 
ductive organs is generally still more complete, and in the highest 
groups of this order a stem with very definite roots is developed. 
These are yet more complete in the mosses, but still nutrition may 
be performed by the general surface independently of them. And 
even where these filamentous processes of the Cryptogamia bear the 
greatest resemblance to roots, there is reason to believe that they ab- 
sorb by their whole surface, and not by their points alone. In the 
vascular plants we find the function of absorption attaining its high- 
est degree of specialization, being as it were concentrated in the 
growing points of the roots, which are known as the spongioles, and 
the function is more actively performed by them in proportion to the 
small amount of surface they expose. 

Still, however, it is found that the general surface, even of a 
vascular plant, is concerned in this function, and that in many in- 
stances it is even capable of entirely performing it when the roots 
are from any cause unable to act. This is a very beautiful example 
of the second law to which we have alluded, and which we shall 
state in the author’s words. ‘In cases where the different functions 


114 Bibliographical Notices. 


are highly specialized, the general structure retains, more or less, the 
primitive community of function which originally characterized it.” 
We have seen that in the simplest or most homogeneous beings the 
entire surface participates equally in the function of absorption, and 
we now perceive that even in the highest and most heterogeneous, 
where the number of distinct organs is greatest and their respective 
functions most completely restricted to them, some traces of this 
primitive community remain. Weshall conclude our illustration by 
quoting the account given by Mr. Carpenter of the development of 
the same system in the embryo of a vascular plant, in which he in- 
geniously shows its conformity to the same laws. ‘‘ In tracing the 
gradual evolution of the special absorbent system of the more per- 
fect plants, we may observe many interesting relations between the 
progressive stages of its development and the permanent forms of the 
system in the lower orders. Thus the embryo at its first appearance 
within the ovule is nothing but a single cell, like that of the Proto- 
coccus, in the midst of the store of semi-fluid nutriment prepared by 
its parent, which it gradually absorbs by its whole surface, just as 
do the simplest cellular plants. At the time of the ripening of the 
seed we mark the rudiment of the future root, which is developed 
during germination ; but in the early stages of this process the radi- 
cle simply prolongs itself into the ground, and appears to be equally 
capable of imbibing moisture through its whole length, like that of 
the fungi or mosses. It is not until the true leaves are evolved that 
the root begins to extend itself by ramification, then first protruding 
perfect fibrils composed of woody fibre and vessels and terminated 
by spongioles.” 

We need scarcely point out the additional interest which is given to 
the facts of science when they thus become subservient to the esta- 
blishment of those generalizations in which true science consists. 
Again, to quote our author’s language, ‘‘ At every successive step 
we are led to comprehend new relations between facts that pre- 
viously seemed confused and insulated ; new objects for what at first 
seemed destitute of utility ; and in the same proportion will the con- 
templative spirit be led to appreciate the vastness of that Designing 
Mind, which, in originally ordaining the laws of the animated world, 
could produce such harmony and adaptation amongst their innume- 
rable results.” 

Having thus endeavoured to communicate to our readers an idea 
of the objects and spirit of this treatise, we shall briefly indicate its 
contents. It is divided into two books, the first of which is devoted 
to general physiology, the second to special physiology. These, 


Bibliographical Notices. 115 


however, are preceded by an introduction of considerable length, de- 
signed to present to those who stand in need of such preliminary 
information a general view of the organized creation. The charac- 
teristics of organized structures are first pointed out, and the ele- 
mentary tissues of plants and animals described. Here will be found 
various novel and interesting analogies, especially in regard to the 
variations which the type of the spiral vessel presents. An outline 
view is then given of the characters of each of the principal groups 
of the vegetable and animal kingdoms, in which the links of transi- 
tion and their respective analogies are specially pointed out. 

Under the head of General Physiology are discussed the nature 
and causes of vital actions ; the dependence of life upon external sti- 
muli; heat, light, electricity, &c.; and the laws of organic develop- 
ment. ‘These are succeeded by a connected view of the functions 
performed by organized beings, in which their mutual relations are 
shown, and the distinctions between plants and animals definitely 
pointed out. 

In the second book, comprising Special Physiology, each function 
is considered in detail. The evolution of its particular organ in the 
ascending scale of being is described, firstas regards the vegetable king- 
dom (in the manner we have already instanced ), and then the animal 
kingdom, and its correspondence with the development of the same 
organs in the embryo of higher beings is displayed. Under this 
head are introduced explanations of various interesting malformations 
or monstrosities which result from arrest of development ; these are 
most frequently presented in the circulating system of animals. 

The advantage which the physiologist derives from bringing into 
comparison the facts derived from an extensive variety of sources is 
perhaps nowhere more evident than in regard to the reproductive 
system of vegetables. It has been so much the habit of botanists to 
separate instead of approximating, that analogies are often obscured 
by the multiplication of terms; so that the inexperienced cryptoga- 
mist is bewildered by the different appellations which the same or- 
gans receive in distinct groups and by the want of any indication of 
their similarity beyond what he may discover by his own inquiries. 
Mr. Carpenter appears to us to have extremely simplified this diffi- 
cult subject by showing the fundamental correspondence between 
the reproductive organs in all the tribes of Cryptogamia, and he has 
brought forward strong evidence to show that this may be traced 
even into the Phanerogamia, which differ from the others only in the 
addition of new organs, and not in the alteration of the character of 
the original ones. Without pronouncing a decided opinion upon this 


116 Bibliographical Notices. 


question, we may recommend his views to the attentive consideration 
of our botanical readers. We understand that they have been pre- 
sented in more detail to the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, and 
that they have been mentioned with high approbation by Professor 
Graham in his late retrospective address. Onsome points they cor- 
respond in a remarkable manner with the researches of M. Schleiden, 
which were nct published at the time when the author first made 
known the general result of his inquiries*. 

After what we have said of the character of this work it is almost 
needless to add our strong recommendation of it to our readers as 
one which can scarcely fail to be of service to them, in whatever de- 
partment of natural history they may be engaged. Although spe- 
cially designed for the medical student the author has taken much 
pains to adapt it to the general reader, and we trust that he may 
meet with his reward in the advancement of that philoraphicg! spirit 
ef inquiry which it is his aim to promote. 


Memoirs of the Wernerian Natural History Society for the Years 
1837-38. Part I. Vol. VIII. 8vo. 1839. 


The Memoirs of this Society have hitherto been published in 8vo 
volumes at very distant intervals, thereby losing much of their in- 
terest on account of the long period which elapsed between the 
reading and publication of the papers, and often forcing gentlemen 
who had important information to communicate to lay it before some 
other Association which was more regular in the issue of their Trans- 
actions; we are happy therefore to see the present Part, and trust 
that at the end of each session at least, the more valuable commu- 
nications which have been read at its meetings may be published 
and illustrated. We may remark that the price, 6s., is rather be- 
yond that of the periodicals of the time, while the workmanship is 
not superior. The papers contained in this part are, 

I. ‘‘ Observations on the Distinctions, History, and Hunting of 
Seals in the Shetland Islands.” By Lawrence Edmonstone, M.D. 
Dr. Edmonstone is of opinion that two species only frequent and are 
permanent natives of the Shetland isles, which he places under the 
names of Phoca vitulina and barbata ; the supposed existence of any 
other large seal being perhaps attributable to the great difference in 
form between the males and females of his P. barbata or Half-fish. A 


* See ‘ British and Foreign Medical Review,’ vol. iv. p. 561. Transla- 
tions of Dr. Schleiden’s papers have appeared in the ‘ Lond. and Edin. Phil. 
Mag.’, vol. xii., and ‘ Taylor’s Scientific Memoirs’, Part V1. 


Bibliographical Notices. 117 


specimen of Phoca Grenlandica was killed in 1830, but is supposed to 
have fallen overboard from one of the returning Greenland ships. Of 
P. annellata and leporina he states, “I am much inclined to suspect 
that further observations will prove them to be merely varieties of 
the vitulina.” A specimen of the Walrus was killed near the island 
of Fetlar in the summer of 1815, and another was seen in 1828 fora 
few days in Balta Sound. In this paper a great deal will be found 
to interest relative to the manners and habits of the Shetland seals, 
and Dr. Edmonstone would be conferring a favour on zoologists if he 
could send the skins and skeletons of the most marked varieties either 
to Edinburgh or London, where they could be compared with other 
species, and any disputed points finally settled. 

II. ‘* On the last changes in the Relative Levels of the Land and 
Sea in the British Islands.” By James Smith, Esq., of Jordan Hill. 
A paper of much local interest, and illustrated by two plates of new 
recent shells from the firth of Clyde. 

: III. ‘‘On the Asteriade of the Irish Sea.” By Edward Forbes, 
sq. 

IV. “ Meteorological Journal for the year 1838, kept at the Manse 
of the parish of Abbey of St. Bathons, Berwickshire.”” By the Rev. 
John Wollow. 

V. “On the Geognosy of the Isle of Eigg.” By R. J. Hay 
Cunningham, Esq. 


Scandinaviens Fiskar, malade of W. v. Wright, med text of B. 
Fries och C. U. Eckstrém. 4 et 5 Haftet. Stockholm. 


The fourth part of this excellent work contains splendid drawings 
of Gadus Aiglefinus, Pollachius ; Raniceps niger (with text), Cullio- 
nymus Lyra § and 2, C. maculatus, besides descriptions of Cypri- 
nus Grislagine, rutilus, erythrophthalmus, Gadus minutus and mer- 
langus. ‘The fifth part contains drawings of Centronotus gunellus, 
Clinus maculatus, Fries ; Cyprinus Ballerus, Pleuronectes Liman- 
doides, Myxine glutinosa, Scomber scombrus, and Squalus cornubicus. 
From the accuracy of the drawings, and the completeness of the de- 
scriptions, this work will always remain the most important source 
for the determination of those species established by Linnzus and 
the Swedish naturalists. 


Verzeichniss der Conchylien in der Sammlung von E. Anton. Halle. 
This Catalogue contains 3410 species, of which 348 are new, and are 
here described. 


118 Zoological Society. 


PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. 
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 


January 22, 1839.—The Rev. F. W. Hope in the chair. 

At the request of the chairman, Mr. Garnett exhibited a living 
Jerboa (apparently the Dipus digyptiacus), which had been sent to 
him from the Cape of Good Hope, but Mr. Garnett stated that he 
was not aware whether it had been captured in that part of Africa. 


Professor Owen concluded his paper entitled, ‘‘ Outlines of a 
Classification of the Marsupialia.” ‘The rich stores of the Mena- 
gerie and Museum of the Zoological Society,’ observes Mr. Owen; 
*‘ having afforded me frequent opportunities of examining the ana- 
tomy of various and rare species of the Marsupial order ; the endea- 
vour to express in general propositions the more important facts 
relative to their organization ; to state in which particulars so many 
agreed or differed; has naturally compelled me to acquire certain 
ideas respecting their Zoological distribution.” 

In the first part of the paper, Professor Owen defines the general 
characters of the Marsupialia; he then proceeds to consider their 
mutual affinities; and, as closely connected with this subject, com- 
mences with some observations on their size, their geographical dis- 
tribution, and their habits. 

The carnivorous Marsupial animals belonging to the genera Thyla- 
cinus and Dasyurus are compared to the Carnivora in the placental 
series; and the Bandicoots (Perameles), and Myrmecobians are re- 
presented as typifying, or playing corresponding parts. with those 
allotted to the placental Jnvsectivora. ‘Those Marsupials which have 
an omnivorous diet, live in trees, are provided with a prehensile 
tail, and have a thumb on the hinder extremities, are said to typify 
the Quadrumana, and the tailless Koala is compared to the arboreal 
Sun-Bears of the Indian Archipelago. 

«« Another genus of Marsupialia, the Wombat,” says Mr. Owen, 
‘* presents the dentition which characterizes the placental Rodentia ; 
and the Petaurists, like the Flying Squirrels, have a parachute 
formed by broad duplications of the skin extending laterally be- 
tween the fore and hind legs. 

«<The Kangaroos are the true herbivorous Marsupialia, and many 
interesting physiological conditions present themselves to the mind 
in contemplating the singular construction and proportions of these 
animals. It would appear that the peculiarities of their gestation 
rendered indispensably necessary the possession of a certain prehen- 


Zoological Society. 119 


sile faculty of the anterior extremities, with a free movement of the 
digits and a rotatory power of the fore-arm, in relation to the mani- 
pulations of the pouch and of the embryo developed therein. At 
the same time a herbivorous quadruped must possess great powers 
of locomotion in order to pass from pasture to pasture and to avoid 
its enemies by flight. These powers, as is well known, are secured 
to the herbivorous species of the placental Mammalia, by an ungu- 
late structure of four pretty equally developed members. Such a 
structure, however, would have been incompatible with the pro- 
creative ceconomy of the Kangaroo. It is therefore organized for 
rapid locomotion by an excessive development of the hinder extre- 
mities ; and these alone serve as the instruments of flight, which is 
performed by a succession of extensive bounds. The tail also is 
of great power and length, and in the stationary position, the body 
is supported erect on the tripod formed by the tail and hind legs ; 
while in easy progression the tail serves as a crutch upon which 
and the fore feet the body is sustained while the hind legs are swung 
forwards. 

** As the Australasian continent, the great metropolis of the Mar- 
supial quadrupeds, still remains but very partially explored ; and as 
new species and even genera of Marsupials continue at each expe- 
dition to reward the researches of the scientific traveller; and as 
moreover the recovery of two lost but distinct genera from the ruins 
of a former world makes it reasonable to suppose that other types 
of Marsupials remain still hidden in the crust of the earth; it can 
hardly be expected that the zoologist should be able to arrange in 
a natural series, with easy transitions according to the order of their 
affinities, the few and diversified forms of this implacental subclass 
which are at present known. ‘The greatest number of correspond- 
encies, as it appears to me, will be expressed by taking the modi- 
fications of the digestive system as the guide to the formation of 
the primary groups of the Marsupialia. 

** The continent, however, in which the Marsupials ‘ most do con- 
gregate’ is characterized by the paucity of organized matter upon 
its surface, and few of them, consequently, are nourished by a very 
well-defined diet. No large carnivorous quadruped could in fact 
have existed in the wilds of Australia prior to the introduction of 
civilized man and his attendant herds: and we find, in fact, that 
the native genera which are the most decidedly carnivorous, do not 
include species larger than the dog: we can only reckon among 
these strictly carnivorous species the Thylacines and the Dasyures ; 
and, on the other hand, not more than two or three Marsupial 


120 Zoological Society. 


genera feed exclusively on vegetable substances. The rest of them 
derive a promiscuous nutriment from dead or decayed animal and 
vegetable matter, crustacea, and the refuse of the sea-shore, insects 
in their perfect and larva states, live birds, young and succulent 
sprouts, leaves, fruits, &c. The terms, therefore, which will be 
given to the different primary subdivisions in the present classifica- 
tion of the Marsupialia must not be understood to indicate strictly 
or exclusively the nature of the food of the species severally in- 
cluded in these groups, but rather their general tendency to select 
for their support the substances implied by those designations.” 


Tribe I. SARCOPHAGA. 


The genera in this tribe are the most decidedly carnivorous of all 
the Marsupialia, and are characterized by an important anatomical 
condition, viz. the absence of an intestinum cecum. 


Genus 1. Thylacinus. 

Incisors <3 canines = ; premolares 33 molares —: = 46. 

The incisors are of equal length, and regularly arranged in the 
segment of a circle with an interspace in the middle of the series 
of both jaws. The external incisor on each side is the strongest. 

The laniary or canine teeth are long, strong, curved, and pointed, 
like those of the dog tribe. 

The spurious molares are of a simple, blunt, conical form, each 
with two roots; the last with a small additional posterior cusp. 
The true molares in the upper jaw are unequally triangular with 
three tubercles. Those in the lower jaw are compressed, tricus- 
pidate, the middle cusp being the longest, especially in the two last 
molares, which resemble closely the sectorial teeth (dens carnassiérs) 
of the Dog and Cat. The fore feet are 5-digitate, the hind feet 
4-digitate. 

On the fore foot the middle digit is the longest, the internal one 
or pollex the shortest, but the difference is slight. On the hind 
foot the two middle toes are of nearly equal length and longer than 
the two lateral toes, which are equal. All the toes are armed with 
strong, blunt, and almost straight claws. The only known species 
of this genus, the Thylacine (Thylacinus Harrisii, Didelphys Cyno- 
cephalus, Harris), is a native of Van Diemen’s Land, and is called 
by the colonists the ‘ Hyena.’ 


Genus Dasyurus. 


. 4—4 Mgt — 
Incisors s—,; canines ;— ; preemolares = molares = gio 42. 


The eight incisors of the upper jaw are of the same length and 


Zoological Society. 121 


simple structure, and are arranged in a regular semicircle without 
any middle interval. The six incisors of the lower jaw are simi- 
larly arranged but have thicker crowns than the upper ones; the 
canines present the same or even a greater relative development 
than in the Thylacine. In an extinct species of Dasyurus they 
present the same form and relative properties as in the Leopard. 
The spurious molares have two fangs and a pointed compressed 
triangular crown with a rudimental tubercle at the anterior and 
posterior part of its base. The grinding surface of the true molares 
in the upper jaw is triangular; the first presents four sharp cusps, 
the second and third each five, the fourth, which is the smallest, 
only three. In the lower jaw the last molar is nearly of equal size 
with the penultimate one, and is bristled with four cusps, the ex- 
ternal one being the longest; the second and third molares have ~ 
five cusps, three on the inner and two on the outer side; the first 
molar has four cusps: these are all sharply pointed in the young 
animal, in which the tubercle of the posterior molar of the lower jaw 
is divided into two small cusps. 

The carnivorous character of the previous dentition is most 
strongly marked in the Ursine Dasyure, or Devil of the Tasmanian 
colonists, the largest existing species of the genus, and a most 
pestilent animal in the poultry yard or larder. 


Genus Phascogale. 
—3 
5! 

In the present dental formula may be discerned a step in’ the 
transition from the Dasyures to the Opossums, not only in the in- 
ereased number of spurious molares, but also in shape and pro- 
portions of the incisors. In the upper jaw the two middle in- 
cisors are longer than the rest, and separated from them by a 
brief interval; they are more curved and project more forward. 
The three lateral incisors diminish in size to the outermost. The 
middle incisors of the lower jaw also exceed~the lateral ones in 
size, and project beyond them but not in the same degree, nor are 
they separated from them by an interval as in the upper jaw. The 
canines are relatively smaller than in the Dasyures. The spurious 
molares present a similar form, but the third is much smaller and sim- 
pler than the two preceding ones. The true molares resemble in 
their structure those of the Dasyures. The general character of 
the dentition of these small Marsupials approximates to the insecti- 
vorous type in the Shrew, Hedgehog, &c., among the placental 

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.4. No.22. Oct. 1839. K 


te aa 
Incisors 44 ey canines ;— ; ; preemolares — molares ra: = 46. 


122 Zoological Society. 


Mammalia; and corresponds with the food and habits of the species 
which thus lead from the Zoophagous to the Entomophagous tribe. 

Other links which once bound these tribes more closely together 
are now lost, and are indicated only by the few fossil remains 
which have rendered the Stonesfield oolite so celebrated. One of 
these extinct genera, which I have called Phascolotherium, presents 
the same numerical formula, apparently, as in the Thylacinus 
and Phascogale ; but, if another incisor existed in each ramus of 
the lower jaw, as seems to be indicated by the fossil, then the den- 


tition will agree with that of the genus Didelphis. 


: 2m? ee Pork, ond 
Incisors 53 canines ii? premolares 553 molares oe 


3 
or 
. 4—4 ° . 
The incisors and canines are separated by vacant interspaces, 
and occupy a large proportion of the dental series: the true mo- 


lares resemble those of Thylacinus. 


Tribe II. ENTOMOPHAGA, 


This is the most extensive and varied of the primary groups of 
the Marsupial order. In the system of Cuvier, the species of this 
tribe are united with those of the preceding to form a single group 
characterized by the presence of long canines and small incisors in 
both jaws; but in most of the Entomophagous genera of the pre- 
sent classification, the canines present a marked inferiority of de- 
velopment, and the species are consequently unable to cope with 
animals of their own size and grade of organization, but prey upon the 
smaller and weaker classes of invertebrate animals. Their intestinal 
canal is complicated by a moderately long and large cxcum; and, 
while in the Sarcophaga, the feet are organized, as in the ordinary 
placental Digitigrades, they present in the present tribe a variety 
of well-marked modifications, according to which the species may 
be arranged into ambulatory, saltatory, and scansorial groups. 


AMBULATORIA. 

The only known existing representative of this family is the 
animal described by Mr. Waterhouse, which constitutes the type of 
his genus Myrmecobius, of which the following is the remarkable 
dental pus: 


Incisors 4= os canines ae ; premolares 2 Po = molares 2—> 66: = 52. 

From which it will be seen, that the number of gies sixteen 
in the upper and eighteen in the lower jaw, exceeds that of any 
other known existing Marsupial, and approaches that which charac- 


terizes some of the insectivorous armadilloes. ‘The resemblance to 


Zoaloyical Society. 123 


Dasypus is further carried out in the small size of the molares, their 
separation from each other by slight interspaces, and their implanta- 
tion in sockets which are not formed by a well-developed alveolar 
ridge. The molares, however, present a distinct tuberculate struc- 
ture; and both the true and false ones possess two separate fangs 
as in their Marsupial congeners: they are, however, the least pro- 
duced of any Marsupials; only the triturating tubercles appearing 
above the gum. 

The false molares present the usual compressed triangular form, 
with the apex slightly recurved, and the base more or less obscurely 
notched before and behind. The canines are very little longer than 
the false molares; the incisors are minute, slightly compressed and 
pointed; they are separated from each other and the canines by 
wide intervals. 

The Myrmecobians are insectivorous, and shelter themselves in 
the hollows of trees, frequenting most, it is said, those situations 
where the Port Jackson Willow abounds. In the structure and 
proportions of the hinder feet, Myrmecobius resembles the Dasyurine 
family ; and in the slightly developed canines, the smooth external 
surface of the skull, the breadth between the zygomata, and the 
absence of the interparietal ridges, as well as in the general exter- 
nal form and bushy tail, it offers an especial approximation to the 
genus Phascogale. 

Intermediate however to Myrmecobius and Phascogale would 
seem to be the station held by the interesting extinct genera 
above alluded to. In Phascolotherium the affinity is manifested in 
the simple form, small size, and straggling disposition of the inci- 
sors and canines: in the other genus, Thylacotherium, it is dis- 
played in the size and number of its molares. 

This, one of the most ancient mammiferous genera hitherto dis- 
covered, presents eleven molares on each side of the lower jaw, which 
resemble in structure and close arrangement those of Phascogale 
and Didelphis, while they are intermediate in their proportional 
size to these and Myrmecobius. The exact condition of the incisors 
and canines of the Thylacotherium has not yet been displayed in 
the fossil jaws which have been discovered. 


SALTATORIA. 
Genus Perameles (Bandicoots). 


1—1 


ii’ 

This dental formula characterizes a number of Rat-like Insectivora 
commonly known in Australia by the name of Bandicoots ; the hind 
K 2 


sf 


® 5—5 e M 3—3 a ae . ——- 
incisors 3233 canines preemolares $23; molares i: = 48. 


124 Zoological Society. 


legs are longer and stronger than the fore, and exhibit in a well- 
marked manner the feeble and slender condition of the second and 
third digits counting from the inside, and the sudden increase in 
length and strength of the third and fourth digits, which are chiefly 
subservient to locomotion: the mode of progression in the Bandi- 
coots is by bounds; the hind and fore feet being moved alternately 
#s in the Hare and Rabbit; and the crupper raised higher than the 
fore quarter. The teeth which offer the greatest range of variation 
in the present gefius are the external or posterior incisors and the 
canines: the molares, also, which originally are quinque-cuspi- 
date, have their points worn away, and present a smooth and oblique 
grinding surface in some species sooner than in others. 

The Bandicoots which approach nearest to the Myrmecobius im 
the condition of the incisive and canine teeth are the Perameles 
obesula and P. radiata. There is a slight interval between the 
first and second imcisor, and the outer or fifth incisor of the upper 
jaw is separated from the rest by an interspace equal to twice its 
own breadth, and moreover presents the triangular, pointed, canine- 
like crown which characterizes all the incisors of Myrmecobius ; but 
the four anterior incisors are closely arranged together and have 
compressed, quadrate, true incisive crowns. From these incisors the 
canine is very remote, the interspace being equally divided by the 
fifth pointed incisor, which the canine very slightly exceeds im 
size. In Peram. nasuta the incisor presents the same general con- 
dition, but the canines are relatively larger. 

The marsupial pouch in the Bandicoots, at least in the full-grown 
females of Per. nasuta, Per. obesula, and Per. lagotis, has its 
orifice directed downwards or towards the cloaca, contrariwise to 
its ordinary disposition in the Marsupials: this direction evidently 
relates to the position of the trunk when supported on the short 
fore and long hind legs. In the stomach and intestines of a Pera- 
meles obesula, I found only the remains of insects; and in the ex- 
amination of the alimentary canal of a Per. nasuta, Dr. Grant ob- 
tained the same results. 


Genus Cheropus. 


The singular animal on which this genus is founded is briefly 
noticed and figured in Major Mitchell’s Australia, (vol. ii. pl. 38. 
p- 131.) and the individual described is preserved in the Colonial 
Museum, at Sydney, N.S. Wales, (No. 35. of Mr. George Bennett’s 
Catalogue). It would appear that the two outer toes of the fore- 
foot, which are always very small in the true Bandicoots, are en- 


Zoological Society. 125 


tirely deficient in the Cheropus, unless some rudiments should exist 
beneath the skin; at all events only two toes are apparent extern- 
ally, but they are so armed and developed as to be serviceable for 
burrowing or progression. The inner toe is wanting on the hind 
foot. whee formula : 


Incisors <= fh canines ;— : premolares 2= ae molares i: = 46. 

All the teeth are of sini size; the canines resemble the spurious 
molares in size and shape, and these are separated at intervals as 
in Myrmecobius. The marsupium-.opens downwards in the Cheropus, 
as in the true Bandicoots. The species described has no tail. The 
genus would seem by its dentition to rank between Myrmecobius and 
Perameles. Its digital characters are anomalous and unique among 
the Marsupialia. 

SCANSORIA. 

Didelphide, Opossums. 

These Marsupials are now exclusively confined to the American 
Continents, although the fossil remains of a small species attest the 
former existence of the genus Didelphis in Europe contemporaneously 
with the Paleothere, Anoplothere, and other extinct Pachyderms 
whose fossil remains characterize the Eocene strata of the Paris 
Basin. The dental fogula of the genus Didelphis is, 

Incisors 3 ; canines 4 3 premolares 53 5 ; molares = = 50. 

The Opossums resemble in their dentition the Bandiceots more 
than the Dasyures, except in the structure of the molares. 

The two middle incisors of the upper jaw are more produced than 
the others, from which they are separated by a short interspace. 
The canines are well developed, the upper being always stronger 
than the lower. The false molares are simply conical; the true 
ones beset with sharp points, which wear down into tubercles as the 
animal advances in age. 

In the type of the subgenus Cheironectes, besides being web- 
footed, the anterior extremities present an unusual development 
of the pisiform bone, which supports a fold of the skin, like a 
sixth digit; it has indeed been described, as such, by M. Tem- . 
minck; this process has not of course any nail. The dentition 
of the Yapock resembles that of the ordinary Didelphis. All the 
Opossums have the inner digit of the hind foot converted by its 
position and development into a thumb, but without a claw. The 
hinder hand is associated in almost all the species with a scaly 
prehensile tail. 

In some of the smaller Opossums the subabdominal tegumentary 
folds merely serve to conceal the nipples, and are not developed inte 


126 Zoological Society. 


a pouch; the young in these adhere to the mother by entwining 
their little prehensile tails around hers, and cling to the fur of the 
back ; hence the term dorsigera applied to one of these Opossums*. 


Tribe III. CARPOPHAGA. 


Stomach simple; czcum very long. 


In this family, the teeth, especially those at the anterior part of 
the mouth, present considerable deviations from the previously de- 
scribed formule ; the chief of which is a predominating size of the 
two anterior incisors, both in the upper and lower jaw. Hitherto 
we have seen that the dentition in every genus has participated more 
or less of a carnivorous character; henceforth it will manifest a 
tendency to the Rodent type. 

The Phalangers, so called from the phalanges’ of the second and 
third digits of the hinder extremities being inclosed in a common 
sheath of integument, have the innermost digit modified, to answer the 
purposes of a thumb; and the hinder hand being associated in many 
of the species with a prehensile tail, they evidently, of all Frugivora, 
come nearest the arboreal species of the preceding section. Ina sy- 
stem framed on locomotive characters they would rank in the same 
section with the Opossums. We have seen, however, that they dif- 
fer from those Entomophagous Marsupials greatly in the condition 
of the intestinal tube. Let us examine to what extent the dental 
characters deviate from those of the Opossums. 

In the skull of a Phalangista Cookii, now before me, there are both 
in the upper and lower jaw four true molares on each side, each beset 
with four three-sided pyramidal sharp-pointed cusps; thus these 
essential and most constant teeth correspond in number with those 
of the Opossum: but in the upper jaw they differ in the absence of 
the internal cusp, which gives a triangular figure to the grinding sur- 
face of the molares in the Opossum ; and the anterior single cusp is 
wanting in the true molares of the lower jaw. 

Anterior to the grinders in the Phalanger, there are two spurious 
molares, of similar shape and proportions to those in the Opossum ; 
then a third spurious molar, too small to be of any functional im- 


* Few facts would be more interesting in the present branch of zoology 
than the condition of the new-born young, and their degree and mode of 
uterine development in these Opossums. Since the marsupial bones serve 
not, as is usually described, to support a pouch, but to aid in the function 
of the mammary glands and testes, they of course are present in the skeleton 
of these small pouchless Opossums, as in the more typical Marsupials. 


Zoological Society. 127 


portance, separated also, like the corresponding anterior false molar 
in the Opossum, by a short interval from those behind. 

The canine tooth but slightly exceeds in size the above false 
molar, and consequently here occurs the first great difference be- 
tween the Phalangers and Opossums; it is however, only a difference 
in degree of development; and in the Ursine and other Phalangers, 
as well as in the Petaurists, the corresponding tooth presents more 
of the proportions and form of a true canine. 

The incisors, which we have seen to be most variable in number 
in the carnivorous section, are here three instead of five on each side, 
in the upper jaw, but their size, especially that of the first, compen- 
sates for their fewness. 

In the lower jaw, there is the same number of true molares and of 
functional false molares, whichformacontinuous and tolerably equable 
series, as in the Opossums, on each side ; then two very minute and 
rudimental teeth on each side represent the small spurious molar, 
and small canine of the upper jaw; and anterior to these, there is one 
very small and one very large and reser incisor on each side. 


The constant teeth in “me ee are the = — true molares, and the 
i incisors. The canines ; a - are sionatiaiit 3 in qn to their pre- 
sence, but variable in size ; tha are arte ge minute in the lower jaw. 
With respect to the spurious molares, — = =: 
with the true grinders, and their crowns reach to the same grinding 
level ; sometimes a second spurious molar is similarly developed as in 
the Phal. Cookii, and as in all the flying Phalangers, or Petaurists, but 
it is commonly absent or replaced by a very minute tooth, shaped 
like a canine; so that between the posterior spurious grinder and 
the incisors we may find three teeth, of which the posterior is the 
largest, as in Phal. Cookii, or the smallest, as in Phal. cavifrons ; 
or there may be only two teeth, as in Phal. ursina and Phal. 
vulpma, and the species, whatever that may be, which Fr. Cuvier 
has selected as the type of the dentition of this Genus. 

In the lower jaw similar varieties occur in these small and unim- 
portant teeth; e. g. there may be between the procumbent incisors 
and the posterior false molar, either four teeth, as in Phal. Cookii; or 
three, as in Phal. cavifrons ; or two, as in Phal. ursina, Phal. ma- 
culata, Phal. chrysorrhoos ; or lastly, one, as in Phal. vulpina, and 
Phal. fuliginosa. 

The most important modification is presented by the little Phal. 
gliriformis of Bell, which has only three true molares on each side of 
each jaw. 


they are always in contact 


128 Zoological Society. 


Genus Petaurus. 

There are many species of Marsupials limited to Australia, and 
closely resembling or identical with the true Phalangers in their 
dental characters and the structure of the feet. I allude to the Pe- 
taurists or Flying Opossums ; these, however, present an external 
character so easily recognizable, and influencing so materially the lo- 
comotive faculties, as to claim for it more consideration than the mo- 
difications of the digits or spurious molares, which we have just been 
considering in the Phalangista. A fold of the skin is extended on 
each side of the body between the fore and hind legs, which, when 
outstretched, forms a lateral wing or parachute, but which, when 
the legs are in the position for ordinary support or progression, is 
drawn close to the side of the animal by the elasticity of the subcu- 
taneous cellular membrane, and then forms a mere tegumentary 
ridge. These delicate and beautiful Marsupials have been separated 
generically from the other Marsupials under the name of Petaurus* : 
they further differ from the Phalangers in wanting the prehensile 
character of the tail, which in some species of Petaurus has a general 
clothing of long and soft hairs, whilst in others the hairs are arranged 
in two lateral series. 

Now in the Petaurists there is as little constancy in the exact 
formula of the dentition as among the Phalangers. The largest 
species of Petaurus, Pet. Taguanoides, e. g., is almost identical in 
this respect with the Phalangista Cookit, which M. Fr. Cuvier has 
therefore classed with the Petauri. Those teeth of Pet. Taguanoides, 
which are sufficiently developed, and so equal in length, as to exercise 
the function of grinders, or in other words, the functional series of 
molares, include six teeth on each side of the upper jaw, and five 
teeth on each side of the lower jaw. The four posterior molares in 
each row are true, and bear four pyramidal cusps, excepting the last 
tooth in the upper jaw, which, as in Phal. Cookii, has only three 
cusps. In the upper jaw, the space between the functional false 
molares and the incisors is occupied by two simple rudimentary teeth, 
the anterior representing the canine, but being relatively smaller 
than in Phal. Cookit. 'The crowns of the two anterior incisors are 
relatively larger. In the lower jaw the sloping alveolar surface be- 
tween the functional molares and large procumbent incisors is occu- 
pied, according to M. Fr. Cuvier, by two rudimentary minute teeth : 
I have not found any trace of these in the two skulls of Pet. Ta- 
quanoides examined by me. In Phal. Cookii there are three minute 


* First by Dr. Shaw in the Naturalist’s Miscellany. 


Zoological Society. 129 


teeth in the corresponding space, but these differences would not be 
sufficient ground to separate generically the two species if they were 
unaccompanied by modifications of other parts of the body. In 
Petaurus sciureus and Petaurus flaviventer the dentition more nearly 
resembles that of Phalangista vulpina. In the upper jaw the func- 
tional molar series consists of five teeth on each side, the four hinder 
ones being, as in Pet. Taguanoides, true tuberculate molares, but di- 
minishing more rapidly in size, as they are placed further back in the 
jaw : the hinder tooth has three tubercles, the rest four ; their apices 
seem to be naturally blunter than in Pet. Taguanoides. Between 
the functional false molar and the incisors there are three teeth, of 
which the representative of the canine is relatively much larger than 
in the Pet. Taguanoides ; the first false molar is also larger, and has 
two roots; the second, which is functional in Pet. Taguanoides, is 
here very small ; the first incisor is relatively larger and is more pro- 
duced. In the lower jaw the functional series of grinders consists 
of the four true tuberculate molares only, of which the last is rela- 
tively smaller, and the first of a more triangular form than in Pet. 
Taguanoides. ‘The space between the tuberculate molares and the 
procumbent incisor is occupied by four small teeth, of which the one 
immediately anterior to the molares has two roots, the remaining 
three are rudimentary and have a single feng: Among the Species 
eninge this dental Coon, viz., incisors > a= ; canines — ; pre- 
molares 5 sa molares = zi: =40; are Pet. tee, Pet. ‘favinender, 


and Pet. macrurus. 

The Pigmy Petaurist differs from the preceding and larger species 
in having the hairs of the tail distichous or arranged in two lateral 
series like the barbs of a feather ; and in having the spurious molares 
large and sharply pointed; and the true molares bristled each with four 
acute cusps. ‘This tendency in the dentition to the insectivorous 
character, with the modification of the tail, induced M. Desmarest to 
separate the Pigmy Petaurist from the rest of the species, and con- 
stitute a new subgenus under the name of Acrobata. 

Tn four adult specimens, and two of which had young in the pouch, 
I find he following dental formula to be Rometents —incisors 7 ; ca- 
nines — = ; ; premolares 3 . molares = « Sao. 

The three quadricuspidate grinders of f the upper jaw are preceded by 
three large spurious molares, each of which has two fangs, and a com- 
pressed, triangular, sharp-pointed crown, slightly but progressively 
increasing in length, as they are placed forwards. An interspace 
occurs between these and the canine, which is long, slender, sharp- 
pointed, and recurved. The first incisor is longer than the two be- 


130 Zoological Society. 


hind, but is much shorter than the canine. In the lower jaw the 
true molares are preceded by two functional false ones, similar in 
size and shape to the three above ; the anterior false molar and the 
canine are represented by minute, rudimental, simple teeth; the single 
incisor is long and procumbent, asin the other Petaurists. 


Genus Phascolarctus. 

The absence of anomalous spurious molares and of inferior canines 
appears to be constant in the only known species of this genus. The 
dental formula in three of this species, (Phasc. fuscus Desm..,) is: 
Incisors = ; canines j=; preemolares 3 molares =: ==$0; 

The true molares are larger in proportion than in the Phalangers ; 
each is beset with four three-sided pyramids, the cusps of which wear 
down in age; the outer series in the upper teeth being the first to 
give way; those of the lower jaw are narrower than those of the 
upper. The spurious molares are compressed, and terminate in a 
cutting edge; in those of the upper jaw there is a small parallel 
ridge along the inner side of the base. The canines slightly exceed 
in size the posterior incisors; they terminate in an oblique cutting 
edge rather than a point, their fang is closed at the extremity; they 
are situated as in the Phalangers close to the intermaxillary suture. 
The lateral incisors of the upper jaw are small and obtuse, the two 
middle incisors are of twice the size, conical, subcompressed, beveled ~ 
off obliquely to aa anterior cutting edge, but differing essentially 
from the dentes scalprarit of the Rodentia, in being closed at the 
extremity of the fang. The two incisors of the lower jaw resemble 
those of the upper, but are longer and more compressed: they are 
also formed by a temporary pulp, and its absorption is accompanied 
by a closure of the aperture of the pulp cavity, as in the upper in- 
cisors. The Koala therefore, in regard to the number, kind, and con- 
formation of its teeth, closely resembles the Phalangers, with which 
it agrees in its long cecum, but the stomach has a cardiac gland as 
in the Wombat. The extremities of the Koala are organized for 
prehension ; each is terminated by five digits; the hind feet are pro- 
vided with a large thumb, and have the two contiguous digits enve- 
loped in the same tegumentary fold; the anterior digits are divided 
into two groups, the thumb and index being opposed to the other 
three fingers. The fore-paws have a similar structure in some of 
the small Phalangers ; it is very conspicuous in some of the Petau- 
rists. The Koala, however, differs from the Phalangers and Petau- 
rists in the extreme shortness of its tail and in its more compact and 
heavy general form. Itis known to feed on the buds and leaves of 
the trees in which it habitually resides. 


Zoological Society. 131 


Tribe IV. POEPHAGA. 

The present tribe includes the most strictly vegetable feeders ; all 
the species have a complex sacculated stomach and a long simple 
cecum. 

Guided by the modifications of the teeth we pass from the Koala 
to the Kangaroo family (Macropodide),—animals of widely different 
general form. ‘The Potoroos, however, in this group, present abso- 
lutely the same dentition as the Koala, some slight modifications in 
the form of certain teeth excepted. The spurious molares, in their 
longitudinal extent, compressed form, and cutting edge, would chiefly 
distinguish the dentition of the Potoroo, but the Koala evidently 
offers the transitional structure between the Phalangers and Potoroos 
in the condition of these teeth, of which one only is retained on each 
side of each jaw, in both Phascolarctus and Hypsiprymnus. 

The dental formula of the genus Hypsiprymaus is: incisors —, 
canines 77; premolares i=*; mol. =: =30. 

The two anterior incisors are longer and more curved, the lateral 
incisors relatively smaller than in the Koala. The pulps of the an- 
terior incisors are persistent. 

The canines are larger than in the Koala; they always project 
from the line of the intermaxillary suture; and while the fang is 
lodged in the maxillary bone, the crown projects almost wholly from 
the intermaxillary. In the large Hypsiprymaus ursinus the canines 
are relatively smaller than in the other Potoroos, a structure which 
indicates the transition from the Potoroo to the Kangaroo genus. In 
the skeleton of this species in the Leyden Museum the canines pre- 
sent a longitudinal groove on the outer side. 

The characteristic form of the trenchant spurious molar has just 
been alluded to; its maximum of development is attained in the ar- 
boreal Potoroos of New Guinea (Hypsiprymnus ursinus, and Hyps. 
dorsocephalus) ; in the latter of which its antero-posterior extent 
nearly equals that of the three succeeding molar teeth. 

In all the Potoroos the trenchant spurious molar is sculptured, 
especially on the outer side, and in young teeth by many small verti- 
cal grooves. The true molares each present four three-sided pyrami- 
dal cusps, but the internal angles of the two opposite cusps are con- 
* tinued into each other across the tooth, forming two concave trans- 
verse ridges. In the old animal these cusps and ridges disappear, 
and the grinding surface is worn quite flat. 

In the genus Macropus the normal comsliion of the permanent 
teeth may be igang as follows :—incisors > ats —- ; Canines 3 pre- 
molares =; molares =y: =28. 


1? 


132 Zooloyical Society. 


The main difference, as compared with Hypsiprymnus, lies in the 
absence of the upper canines; yet I have seen them present, but of 
very small size, and concealed by the gum, in a small species of 
Kangaroo (Macropus rufiventer, Ogilby.). This, however, is a rare 
exception; while the constant presence and conspicuous size of the 
canines will always serve to distinguish the Potoroo from the Kan- 
garoo. But besides this, there are other differences in the form and 
proportions of certain teeth. 

The upper incisors of the Macropi have their cutting margins on 
the same line, the anterior ones not being produced beyond that line 
as in the Hypsiprymni; the third or external incisor is also broader 
in the Kangaroos, and is grooved and complicated by one or two 
folds of the enamel continued from the outer side of the tooth 
obliquely forwards and inwards, into the substance of the tooth. In 
most species the anterior fold is represented by a simple groove; the 
relative size of the outer incisor, the extent and position of the 
posterior fold of enamel, and consequently the proportions of the 
part of the tooth in front or behind it, vary more or less in every 
species of Macropus : there are two folds of enamel near the anterior 
part of the tooth in Macr, major; the posterior portion is of the 
greatest extent, and the entire crown of the tooth is relatively — 
broadest in this species. The middle incisor is here also complicated 
with a posterior notch and an external groove. These modifications of 
the external incisors have been pointed out in detail by M. Jourdan ; 
and subgeneric distinctions have been subsequently based upon 
them; but they possess neither sufficient constancy nor physio- 
logical consequence, to justify such an application. M. Fr. Cuvier 
has proposed a binary division of the Kangaroos founded on the 
absence of permanent spurious molares and a supposed difference 
in the mode of succession of the permanent molares in the Kan- 
garoos, combined with modifications of the muzzle or upper lip, and 
of the tail. 

The dental formula which I have assigned to the genus Macropus 
is restricted by that naturalist in its application to some small species 
of Kangaroo, grouped together under the term Halmaturus, origin- 
ally applied by Illiger to the Kangaroos generally. The rest of the 
Kangaroos, under the generic term Macropus, are characterized by 
the following dental formula :—incisors 8 ; mol, >: =24, 

The truth, however, is, that both the Halmaturi and Macropi of Fr. 
Cuvier have their teeth developed in precisely the same number and 
manner; they only differ in the length of time during which certain 
of them are retained. In the great Kangaroo, for example, the per- 


Zoological Society. 133 


manent spurious molar "which succeeds the corresponding deciduous 

one in the vertical direction, is pushed out of place and shed by the 

time the last true molar has cut the gum: the succeeding true molar 

is soon afterwards extruded; and I have seen a skull of an old Ma- 

cropus major inthe Museum at Leyden, in which the grinders were 

reduced to two on each side of each jaw by this yielding of the an-. 
terior ones to the vis a tergo of their successors. 


Tribe V. RHIZOPHAGA. 

The characters of this tribe are taken from the stomach, which is 
simple in outward form, but complicated within by a large cardiac 
gland; and from the cecum, which is short and wide, with a vermi- 
form appendage. 

Genus Phascolomys. 

In its heavyshapeless proportions, large trunk, and short equably 
developed legs, the Wombat offers as great a contrast to the Kan- 
garoos as does the Koala, which it most nearly resembles in its ge- 
neral outward form and want of tail. But in the more important 
characters afforded by the teeth and intestinal canal the Wombat 
differs more from the Koala than this does from either the Phalan- 
gers or Kangaroos. The dental system presents the extreme de- 
gree of that degradation of the teeth intermediate between the 
front incisors and true molares which we have been tracing from 
the Opossum to the Kangaroos: not only have the functionless . 
spurious molares and canines now totally disappeared, but also the 
posterior incisors of the upper jaw, which we have seen in the Po- 
toroos to exhibit a feeble degree of development as compared with 
the anterior pair; these in fact are alone retained in the denti- 
tion of the present group, which possesses the fewest teeth of any 
Marsupial animal. The dental formula of the Wombat is thus re- 
duced both in number and kind to that of the true Rodentia : 


Incisors 33 canines ° ; premolares a3 molares at = 24. 

The incisors, moreover, are true denies scalprarii, with persistent 
pulps, but are inferior, especially in the lower jaw, in their relative 
length, and curvature, to those of the placental Glires: they present 
a subtrihedral figure, and are traversed by a shallow groove on their 
inner surfaces. 

The spurious molares present no trace of that compressed struc- 
ture which characterizes them in the Koala and Kangaroos ; but have 
a wide, oval, transverse section ; those of the upper jaw being tra- 
versed on the inner side with a slight longitudinal groove. The 


true molares have double the size of the spurious ones : the superior 


134 Zoological Society. 


ones are also traversed by an internal longitudinal groove, but 
this is so deep and wide, that it divides the whole tooth into two 
prismatic portions, with one of the angles directed inwards. The 
inferior molares are in like manner divided into two trihedral portions, 
but the intervening groove is here external, and one of the faces of 
each prism is turned inwards. All the grinders are curved, and de- 
scribe about a quarter of a circle; in the upper jaw the concavity 
of the curve is directed outwards, in the lower jaw inwards. The 
false and true molares like the incisors have persistent pulps, and are 
consequently devoid of true fangs: in which respect the Wombat 
differs from all other Marsupials, and resembles the extinct Toxodon, 
the dentigerous Bruta, and herbivorous Rodentia. 

Although none of the Marsupialia possess teeth composed of an 
intermixture of layers of ivory, cement and enamel through the body 
of the crown; yet the layer of cement which covers the enameled 
crown is thickest in the vegetable-feeding Marsupials, and is re- 
markably distinct in the Wombat. | 

I may add that the Wombat deviates from the other Marsupials 
in the number of its ribs: as these are very constant in the rest of 
the order, the difference in the Wombat, which has 15 pairs, in- 
stead of 13 or 12, is the more deserving of notice. The Koala, like 
the Phalangers and Kangaroos, has 13 pairs of ribs. 

Professor Owen next proceeds to compare the classification of the — 
Marsupialia here proposed with that of Cuvier, given in the second 
edition of the Régue Animal, and states the reasons which have led 
him to devise a new arrangement. 

The following is a tabular view of Professor Owen’s classifica- 
tion. 


CLASSIFICATION OF THE MARSUPIALIA. 


Tribes. Families. Genera. Subgenera,. 
SARCOPHAGA. 
Three kinds of teeth; 


canines long in both Thylacinus. 
jaws; a simple sto- Dasyuride. . 1 Bazin 
mach; no intestinum Phascogale. 
cecum. : 
Extincttransitional forms . . . .-. «+. - [hoevaamanivesig | 
ENTOMOPHAGA. 


Three kinds of teeth in 
both jaws; a simple Ambulatoria. . Myrmecobilis. 
stomach ; amoderately 
long intestinum cecum. 
Cheeropus. 
Perameles. 
Scansoria. . Didelphis. .. . Cheironectes. 


Saltatoria. . 


British Association. 135 


Tribes. Families. Genera. Subgenera. 
CARPOPHAGA. 
Anterior incisors large 
andlongin both jaws; Phalangistide. . 


Cuscus. 
Phalangista. . . 4 Pseudocheirus, 
canines inconstant; a 


Petaurus. Tapoa. 


simple stomach ; avery Acrehata 
long intestinum cecum. 
Phascolarctidg.. Phascolarctus. 
earch eas ne Hypsiprymnus Halmaturu 
Anterior incisors large Macropodide. +e ry : os 
: Macropus. Macropus. 


and long in both jaws ; 
canines present in the 
upper jaw only, or 
wanting. A complex 
stomach; along intes- 
tinum cecum. 
RHIZOPHAGA. 
Two scalpriform incisors 
in both jaws; no ca- 


nines. Stomach with , Phascolomys, , 
aspecial gland ; cecum Phascolomyide . + bitcoane } Fossil 


short, wide, with a ver- 
miform appendage. 
BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE,—NINTH 
MEETING, HELD AT BIRMINGHAM.* 
Section of Zoology and Botany. 
August 27.—J. E. Gray, Esq., V.P., in the Chair. 
Secretaries :—-Mr. E. Forbes and Mr. Patterson. 

Mr. Goodsir read a paper, ‘ On the Follicular Stage of Dentition 
in the Ruminants, with some remarks on that process in the other 
orders of Mammalia.’ The paper concluded with a recapitulation of 
the principal facts contained init. 1. In all the mammalia examined 
(pig, rab-bit, cow, and sheep, &c.), the follicular stage of dentition 
was observed. 2. The pulps and sacs of all the permanent teeth of 
the cow and sheep, with the exception of the fourth molar, are formed 
from the minor surfaces of cavities of reserve. 38. The depending 
folds of the sacs of composite teeth, are formed by the folding in of 
the edges of the follicle towards the base of the contained pulp, the 
granular body assisting in the formation of these folds. 4. The 
cow and sheep (and probably all the other ruminants,) possess the 
germs of canines and superior incisives, at an early period of their 
embryonic existence.—‘ On the preparation of Fish,’ by Mr. Wilde. 
—‘ On the Ciliograda of the British Seas,’ by Edward Forbes and 
John Goodsir.—‘ On some new Species of Entozoa, discovered by 
Dr. Bellingham,’ by Mr. Wilde.—‘ On the Acceleration of the Growth 
of Wheat,’ by G. Webb Hall. 

Aug. 28.—‘ On an Experiment in the Growth of Silk at Notting- 
ham, made this year,’ by Mr. Felkin.—The Secretary read a paper 

* Monday’s proceedings will be found at p. 46. 


136 Botanical Society of London. 


by Mr. Brand, ‘ On the Statistics of British Botany.’—‘ Some Obser- 
vations on Whales, in connexion with the account of the Remains 
of a Whale recently discovered at Durham,’ by Mr. George T. Fox. 

Aug. 29.—Dr. Pritchard read a paper ‘ On the Extinction of the 
Human Races.’ He expressed his regret that so little attention was 
given to Ethnography, or the natural history of the human race, 
while the opportunities for observation are every day passing away. 
—‘A Report on the Distribution of the Pulmoniferous Mollusca in 
Britain, and the causes influencing it.’ Drawn up at the request of 
the Association, by Mr. E. Forbes.—Mr. J. E. Bowman exhibited 
specimens of a species of Dodder (Cuscuta epilinum), first found in 
Britain, two years ago, by himself, and again ina new locality with- 
in the present month. He believes it is to be found exclusively upon 
flax, und has been overlooked for C. Huropea.—‘ On the Cultivation 
of the Cotton of Commerce.’ By Major-Gen. Briggs. 

Aug. 31.—Some remarks were made on the introduction of a 
species of Auchenia into Britain, for the purpose of obtaining wool, 
by Mr. W. Danson.—Prof. Jones made some observations on an ap- 
paratus for observing Fish (especially of the family Salmonide) in 
confinement. Mr. Charles C. Babington made a verbal communi- 
cation concerning some recent additions to the English Flora.— 
A letter was read from Mr. Garner, on the Beroe pileus, stating that 
he had not seen in this animal true luminosity, but only a peculiar 
luminosity in the dark. The external rows of cilia he believed 
might produce it. 

[We have not thought it desirable to fill our pages with imperfect 
abstracts of the papers read in the Section of Botany and Zoology, 
hoping, with regard to the most important, to be enabled, as last 
year to give them entire.—Epir. | 


BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. 


December 7, 1838.—John Edward Gray, Esq., F.R.S., President, 
in the Chair. 
Dr. H. A. Meeson read a paper ‘On the advantages to be de- 
rived by the Medical Profession from the study of Botany.’ 
Mr. John Green communicated some ‘ Observations on the seve- 
rity of last winter on Vegetation in connexion with Meteorology.’ 


December 21, 1838.—John Edward Gray, Esq., F.R.S., President, 
in the Chair. 


A donation of some British Algz was announced, presented by 
Mr. Adam White. 


Botanical Society of London. 137 


Mr. Joseph Freeman read a paper ‘ On the Geographical Distri- 
bution of Plants.’ 

A paper was also read from Mr. Adam White, being ‘ Note on 
Peloria,’ and a Pelorian variety of Pinguicula vulgaris was exhi- 
bited, found by Mr. White on Royden Fenn, near Diss, Norfolk, in 
1835. 


January 4, 1839.—John Edward Gray, Esq., F.R.S., President, 
in the Chair. 

Mr. Daniel Cooper, A.L.S., Curator, read a paper, being ‘ Re- 
marks on the Dispersion of Plants in the environs of London, and the 
formation of plans exhibiting the distribution of species over locali- 
ties,’ which led to some discussion. 


January 18, 1839.—John Edward Gray, Esq., F.R.S., President, 
in the Chair. 

Mr. G. E. Dennes, F.L.S., exhibited specimens of Aspidium rigi- 
dum, sent to him by the Rev. W. T. Bree, and cultivated from a root 
brought by him from Ingleborough, Yorkshire, in 1815. 

Mr. Daniel Cooper, A.L.S., exhibited a Shirt from Sweden, made 
from the liber of Linden. 

A paper was read from M. I. J. Sidney, Esq., ‘On the Botany of 
Morpeth, Northumberland,’ and containing a list of the Plants to be 
found in that district. 

The Curator also continued his paper ‘On the dispersion of 
Plants in the environs of London, and the formation of plans exhi- 
biting the distribution of species over localities.’ 


February 1, 1839.—John Edward Gray, Esq., F.R.S., President, 
: in the Chair. 

A paper was read from Dr. H. A. Meeson, “ On the Formation of 
Leaves.” He began by observing that leaves cannot be expansions 
of the epidermis, because if so they must then of necessity be com- 
posed entirely of cellular tissue, whereas they are known to abound 
in vascular tissue. If leaves be expansions of the bark it must ne- 
cessarily follow that all modifications of them must be the same, there- 
fore petals, sepals, stamina and pistils must be expansions of this 
substance. But these organs exist in endogens, a class of plants 
manifestly without bark, and in exogens their texture is so com- 
pletely different from that of the bark that it would be absurd to com- 
pare them. Dr. M. considered leaves to be the essential part of a 
plant ; they exist in the embryo, and by expanding and unfolding 
themselves suck up sap through the radicle, and having exposed it 

Ann, Nat, Hist. Vol. 4. No, 22. Oct. 1839. L 


Fh 


138 Wernerian Natural History Society. 


to the action of the air and light, convert a portion of it into proper 
juice. A plant is nothing more than a multitude of buds or fixed 
embryos, which send their roots downwards to form their bark and 
wood. ‘The leaf should be considered the most essential part of the 
plant, from which all its other parts are either directly or indirectly 
formed, as it is not an expansion of anything, but a very important 
organ, having as it were a distinct existence of its own. 

A discussion ensued, in which Dr. Macreight, Dr. Willshire, and 
other Members joined. 


WERNERIAN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 

The Wernerian Natural History Society, in a notice dated Edin- 
burgh, 20th April 1839, offers Honorary Premiums, value 10/7. each, 
open unconditionally to all scientific naturalists. It is understood 
that the successful Essays on the subjects proposed, and such Draw- 
ings and Specimens as accompany them, become the property of the 
Society ; and that, in the event of the Society not publishing the 
Essays, the authors may be allowed to publish them on their own 
account. | 

Hydrography.—1. On the temperature, magnitude, chemical com- 
position, and geological relations of the Springs of Scotland. 2. On 
the temperature, colour, chemical composition, mechanical admix- 
ture, magnitude, velocity, and alluvial formations of any one of the 
following Rivers in Scotland, viz. the Tweed, Tay, Dee in Aberdeen- 
shire, or Spey. 

Geology.—3. On the erratic blocks or boulders of Scotland and its 
Islands ; their mineralogical and paleontological characters, and phy- 
sical and geographical distribution ; with illustrative maps.—4. On 
the mineralogical constitution and chemical composition of the Trap- 
Rocks of Scotland; with specimens.—5. On the chemical composi- 
tion of the altered or metamorphic rocks met with in granite, por- 
phyry, serpentine and trap districts; with specimens.—6. On the 
fossil organic remains found in the transition strata and carboniferous 
systems of Scotland ; with drawings of new species and specimens re- 
quired.—7, On the so-called Raised Sea-Beaches met with inScotland, 
its Islands, and elsewhere. Specimens of the shells, &c. required. 

Zoology.—8. On the entomology of the Three Lothians, and the 
river district of the Forth ; with specimens.—9. Drawings and De- 
scriptions of the microscopic animals inhabiting the waters of any of 
the following arms of the sea and lakes, viz. Firth of Forth, Firth of 
Clyde or Loch Fyne; or of Loch Lomond or Loch Tay.—10. On 
the natural history and comparative anatomy of the land and water 


oa 


Miscellaneous. 139 


molluscous animals of the Firth of Forth district; with drawings, 
and, if possible, preparations.—11. On the anatomy and physiology 
of the respiratory and digestive ergans of birds, from actual observa- 
tion, with a special reference to the habits and manners, and the 
natural arrangement of families and genera; with characteristic spe- 
cimens. 

Botany.—12. On the botany of the mountains of Scotland, in 
connexion with their geological structure ; with specimens and a 
map of the distribution. The range of elevation, and the northern 
and southern limits of species should be attended to, and any facts 
illustrating the geographical distribution of plants recorded. It 
would also add greatly to the interest of the communication if it 
were accompanied with a coloured geognostical map of the districts, 
The Essays to be written in English, French, or German. 

[The subjects are rather numerous; and perhaps a fewer, with 
higher premiums, for some at least, might have been better. The 
preparations and drawings to illustrate some of them could not be 
made for double the amount of the premium: and many would be 
willing to compete for an honorary distinction who would not like 
to give up their collections.—Eb. ] 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


NOTICE OF AN UNCOMMONLY TAME AND SENSIBLE PINE MARTEN 

(MUSTELA MARTES), BY ST, K, VON SIEMUSZOVA-PIETRUSKI. 

In June 1836 I obtained a very young Pine Marten, which in a short 
space of time became so domestic that he truly deserved the admi- 
ration of all who had an opportunity of seeing him. ‘This pretty 
little animal went about freely through all the rooms of the house 
without doing harm to any one, played in the court-yard with my 
Danish dogs, often sprang upon their backs, and rode frequently 
upon the good patient beasts after the manner of monkeys in avery 
comical style for a good distance. The dogs too were very fond of 
the Marten, and never showed signs of their inherited hatred of such 
animals. In time he became so much attached to my person that 
he followed me everywhere, even into the neighbouring villages, 
just as only a dog or badger would do (see my remarks upon the 
badger in Wiegmann’s Archiv, 1837, Part II.). In these walks it was 
very interesting to observe how he was able to overcome his natural 
innate propensity for climbing up trees; for it very frequently 
happened that the desire of climbing up a tree seized him; yet as 

L 2 


140 Miscellaneous. 


soon as he perceived that I had gone on, the little animal hastened 
after me directly, Even upon long excursions to the old forests of 
the Carpathian mountains, at a distance of three and four (German) 
miles, the Marten was my faithful companion; he swam through 
rivers and brooks with perfect ease like an otter: but the most re- 
markable thing besides was, that he never went very far from me ; 
only once do I remember having lost him for some hours. This 
happened in the following manner. 

On the 30th of August the gentle Marten followed. me, as he al- 
ways did on an excursion, into the part of the Carpathians which is 
called the Potoninen. I was busied in collecting the beautiful Ca- 
vabus Sacheri in an enchanting spot, and quite forgot my Marten, 
who had found a nest with young blackbirds (Merula montana, 
Brehm.) just by, and was quietly devouring them. After a fortu- 
nate booty of Coleoptera I then wished to climb a lofty hill called 
Paraska, but I missed the Marten and continued my way without 
him. How great was my joy, upon my return, after eight long hours, 
to find the sensible animal again in the very meadow where I had 
lost him ! 

If I was absent from home this Marten would take no food the 
whole day long; and when I returned showed his joy by merry 
leaps and caresses. 

He ate everything that came to table, bread, fruit, cheese, milk, 
but he was fondest of raw flesh; he drank wine with great relish, 
and plentifully. This even hastened his death, for once he drank so 
much, that on the following day he was found dead on the house 
floor.—Wiegmann’s Archiv fiir 1839, 3tes Heft. 


CLANGULA BARROVII, A NATIVE OF ICELAND, 

On my last visit to Iceland, in the summer of 1837, I arrived there 
by way of Copenhagen on the 22nd of June, and landed at a place 
called Ociford, situate on the north side of the island. I immediately 
commenced making excursions into the interior for the purpose of 
procuring specimens and observing the habits of those birds which 
we are little acquainted with in Britain. I met with eleven species 
of ducks breeding there, and was fortunate in procuring the eggs of 
each, viz. Anas mollissima, A. glacialis, A. Marila, A. Strepera, A. 
Boschas, A. acuta, A. Crecca, A. Penelope, A. nigra, A. histrionica. 
The whole of the above visit Britain in the winter season, some re- 
maining to breed, while others retire to higher latitudes ; others again 
we are only acquainted with as rare and uncertain visitants to our 
shores. 


, Miscellaneous. 141 


But what I principally wish to call the attention of the ornitholo- 
gist to, is the fact of my having met with a species of Golden Eye, 
not, as far as my observation goes, the same with that which visits 
the British coast. It answers to the description of the Rocky moun- 
tain Garrot, Clangula Barrovii, Richardson, although Faber and 
other naturalists who have visited Iceland: have applied to it the 
name of the Common Golden Eye (Anas Clangula.). I met with this 
species in both ‘my visits, but never with A. Clangula: therefore I 
am inclined to think that the latter does not inhabit that island, but 
its place is supplied by its near allied species Clangula Barrovit. 
This latter species may always be known from Clangula vulgaris by 
its superior size and the large crescent-shaped patch before each eye, 
which in C. Barrovit springs from below the gape, stretching along 
the base of the bill to the forehead: the bill of the latter, which is 
broader at the base, has also the nail on the upper mandible much 
broader. The weight of the male bird of C. Barrovit.is about 2 
pounds ; the length from tip of bill to end of tail 20 inches ; breadth. 
when the wings are extended 28 inches.. Weight of female 13 Ib. ; 
length 184 inches; breadth 264 inches. It breeds in June, forming 
its nest by the margin of the freshwater ponds, generally among 
the willows, but sometimes placing it on the bare ground amidst the 
loose stones. ‘The nest is composed of a few stems of grass loosely 
put together, lined with down from the breast of the female; the 
eggs vary in number from 6 to 10, and are of a whitish-green, si- 
milar in colour to those of the Common Wild Duck, and larger than 
those of Clangula vulgaris—W. Proctor, Durham, 20th August, , 
1839. 

ON THE MOULTING PROCESS IN THE CRAY FISH. 

We have extracted the following interesting notice from the ele- 
gant and valuable work of Prof. Rymer Jones*, which we had occasion 
to notice in one of our preceding numbers. ‘‘’The phenomena which 
attend the renovation of the external skeleton are so unimaginable 
that it is really extraordinary how little is accurately known con- 
cerning the nature of the operation. ‘The first question which pre- 
sents itself is, how are the limbs liberated from their confinement ? 
for, wonderful as it may appear, the joints even of the massive chele 
of the lobster do not separate from each other, but notwithstanding 
the great size of some of the segments of the claw, and the slender 
dimensions of the joints that connect the different pieces, the cast- 
- off skeleton of the limb presents exactly the same appearance as if 


* General Outline of the Animal Kingdom, Part VII. September 1839. 


142 Miscellaneous. 


it still encased the living member. The only way of explaining the 
circumstance, is to suppose that the individual pieces of the skeleton, 
as well as the soft articulations connecting them, split in a longitu- 
dinal direction, and that, after the abstraction of the limb, the fis- 
sured parts close again with so much accuracy that even the traces 
of the division are imperceptible. But this is not the only part of 
the process which is calculated to excite our astonishment: the in- 
ternal calcareous septa from which the muscles derive their origins, 
and the tendons whereby they are inserted into the moveable por- 
tions of the outer shell, are likewise stated to be found attached to 
the exuvie ; even the singular dental apparatus situated in the sto- 
mach, of which we shall speak hereafter, is cast off and re-formed ! 
And yet, how is all this accomplished ? how do such parts become 
detached ? how are they renewed? We apprehend that more 
puzzling questions than these can scarcely be propounded to the 
physiologist, nor could more interesting subjects of inquiry be 
pointed out to those whose opportunities enable them to prosecute 
researches connected with their elucidation.” 

In a note annexed to this paragraph he describes the appearances 
of an Astacus fluviatilis, which he had obtained soon after casting its 
shell, and of its newly cast-off covering. ‘‘ All the pieces of the ex- 
uvium are connected together by the old articulations, and accu- 
rately represent the external form of the complete animal; the cara- 
pace, or dorsal shield of the cephalo-thorax alone being detached, 
having been thrown off in one piece. The pedicles of the eyes and 
external cornex, as well as the antenne, remain in situ, the corre- 
sponding parts having been drawn out from them as the finger from 
a glove, and no fissure of the shell or rupture of the ligaments con- 
necting the joints is anywhere visible in these portions of the ske- 
leton. The ordinary tubercles, and the membrane stretched over 
the orifice of the ear, occupy the same position as in the living cray- 
fish. The jaws, foot-jaws, and ambulatory feet retain their original 
connections, with the exception of the right chela, which had been 
thrown of before the moult began ; and the segments of the abdo- 
men, false feet, and tail-fin exactly resembled those of the perfect 
creature ;—even the internal processes derived from the thoracic 
segments (apodemata) rather seemed to have had the flesh most care- 
fully picked out from among them than to have been cast away from 
a living animal: but perhaps the most curious circumstance obser- 
vable was, that attached to the base of each leg was the skin which 
had formerly covered the branchial tufts, and which, when floated in 
water, spread out into accurate representations of those exquisitely 


Meteorological Observations. 143 


delicate organs. No fissure was perceptible in any of the articula- 
tions of the small claws, but in the chela each segment was split in 
the neighbourhood of the joints and the articulated ligaments rup- 
tured. The lining membrane of the stomach was found in the tho- 
rax, having the stomachal teeth connected with it ; from its position 
it would seem that the animal had dropped it into the place where it 
lay before the extrication of its limbs was quite accomplished. The 
internal tendons were all attached to the moveable joint of each pair 
of forceps, both in the chela and in the two anterior pairs of smaller 
ambulatory legs. : 

_ On examining the animal, which had extricated itself from the 
exuvium described above, the shell was found soft and flexible, but 
contained a sufficiency of calcareous matter to give it some firmness, 
especially in the claws. The tendons of the forceps were still per- 
fectly membranous, presenting a very decided contrast when com- 
pared with the old ones affixed to the discarded shell. The stump 
of the lost chela had not as yet begun to sprout, and the extremity 
was covered by a soft black membrane. The jaws were quite hard 
and calcified, as likewise were the teeth contained in the stomach.” 


METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR AUGUST, 1839. 

Chiswick.— Aug. 1. Fine. 2,3. Hot. 4—6. Very fine. 7. Rain, with 
thunder atnight. 8. Overcast and fine. 9—14, Very fine. 15. Hazy: 
drizzly. 16. Very fine: cloudy: rain at night. 17, Rain. 18. Very fine: 
heavy rain at night. 19. Rain. 20. Hazy: fine. 21. Clear and fine. 
22—26. Very fine. 27. Overcast: slight rain. 28. Hazy. 29. Cloudy: rain 
atnight. 30. Rain: fine. $1. Cloudy: rain. 

Boston.—Aug. 1. Fine: rainearly a.m. 2,3. Fine. 4, Cloudy: rain p.m. 
5,6. Fine. 7 Rain. 8,9. Fine. . 10. Fine: raine.m. 11. Rain, 12, 
Cloudy. 13. Fine. 14 Rain, 15. Fine. 16, Cloudy: rain early a.m. : 
rain, thunder and lightning p.m. 17. Fine: rain a.M.and pm. 18, Fine. 
19. Rain: extraordinary rain early a.m. 20, Cloudy: rain a.m. andr.m. 21, 
22. Fine. 23. Cloudy. 24. Cloudy: rain early a.m. 25. Fine. 26, Cloudy, 
27. Fine: rain early a.m. 28. Cloudy: rainr.m. 29. Cloudy. 30. Cloudy: 
rain early a.M.and p.m. 31. Rain: rain early a.m. and p.m. 

Applegarth Manse, Dumfries-shire.— Aug. 1. Pleasant day : getting cloudy p.m. 
2. Rain nearly all day. 3. Calm and temperate: cloudy pm. 4. Fine clear 
day. 5. Fine: at noon sultry: air electrical. 6. Wet all day. 7. Occasional 
showers. 8. Fine: pleasant breeze: sky clear. 9. Slight rain a.m.: cleared 
up. 10, High wind: dry a.m.: showery p.m. 11. Fair and fine a.m.: showery 
yr.M. 12. Dull, but fair. 13. Clear and calm all day. 14. Very wet from 11 
a.m. 15, Damp and drooping all day. 16. Occasional drizzling all day. 
17. Dry and partially clear. 18, Warm and close: showery p.m. 19. Drop- 
ping day. 20, Chill morning: fair: showery r.m. 21. Fair throughout; hoar 
frost a.m. 22, Fine day: heavy dew a.m. 23. Rain at noon and continued all 
day. 24. Droppingday. 25. Fair till afternoon: cloudy and close. 26. Fair 
throughout. 27. Beautiful harvest day. 28. Fair a.m. : came on heavy rain 
pM. 29, Heavy rain: floodin the river. 30. Fine day: occasionally slight 
drizzle. $1. Very wet till 5 p.a., when it cleared. 

Sun 27 days. Rain 18 days. 

Wind southerly 18 days. Northerly 8 days. Westerly 4 days. Easterly 
1 day. 


Calm 15 days. Moderate 8 days. Brisk 4 days. Strong breeze 2 days. 
Boisterous 2 days, 


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ANNALS OF NATURAL HISTORY. 


<p 


XIV.—Description of Animal Life in Nova Zembla. By 
K. E. von Baer.* 


Nor only the total want of trees, but also of every kind of 
shrub that would be large enough to attract the eye without 
being looked for, gives to the polar landscapes a peculiar and 
deeply impressive character. 

In the first place all power of measurement is lost to the 
eye. From the want of the usual objects of known dimen- 
sions, trees and buildings, distances appear much less than 
they are, and for the same reason also the mountains are 
thought lower. This observation has often been made before 
and was not unknown to me, yet I found the deception, for 
which I was prepared, much more complete than I had ex- 
pected. I knew indeed that on this very account an expedi- 
tion which King Frederick the Second of Denmark fitted out 
for Greenland failed in its object. 

Mogens Heinson, who at that time was considered an able 
seaman, commanded the ship: he came within sight of the 
coast of Greenland, and steered with a favourable wind to- 
wards it; but after sailing several hours in the same direction 
it appeared to him that he came no nigher to the shore. An 
apprehension seized him that some hidden force at the bottom 
of the sea held him fast; he turned the ship about and went 
back to Denmark, with the account that he had not been able 
to reach the coast of Greenland, having been enchained by a 
magnetic rock. With this experience and with the naive de- 
claration of Martens concerning Spitzbergen, “ The distances 
seem quite near, but when they are to be walked over in 
the country it is quite another matter, and one soon becomes 
very weary,” I was well acquainted, and yet I found the de- 
lusion much greater than I could have supposed, and to my 


* Translated from Wiegmann’s Archiv, part 2. 1839. 
Ann. Nat. Hist, Vol. 4. No.23. Nov. 1839. M 


146 K. E. von Baer’s description of 


eye so perfect that no consideration could rid me of it. I am 
also convinced that it does not depend upon the want of the 
accustomed objects alone, but likewise on a peculiar transpa- 
rency of the air, for it is never so complete on cloudy as on 
bright days, and not so striking in level as in mountainous 
regions. In days or hours which are quite clear the air ap- 
pears to be almost without colour, and as the heights in sight 
are partly covered with snow, and constituted in part of a dark 
stone, which appears darker by the contrast, so the small de- 
gree of colour which the air may possess cannot be perceived. 
The mountains therefore apparently advance quite near to the 
eye, and this perhaps m a greater degree to one who has been 
accustomed to see hills through a different aérial perspective. 

Another effect of the want of trees and even of a vigorous 
growth of grass is the sensation of loneliness, which seizes not 
only on persons of reflection but even upon the roughest 
sailor. It is by no means a sensation of fear, but rather a so- 
lemn and elevating one, and can only be compared with the 
mighty impression which a visit to alpine regions always 
leaves behind. 

The once-conceived idea that the morning of creation was 
dawning for the first time, and that life was yet to follow I 
found it impossible to repress. Nevertheless an animal is now 
and then seen to stirin Nova Zembla. Sometimes a great sea 
gull (Larus glaucus) is seen to hover in the air at some di- 
stance from the coast, or a swift lemming runs along the 
ground. These however are not sufficient to give life to the 
landscape. In calm weather a want of sounds and motion 
is felt, if, as in our case, an expedition be made into the inte- 
rior, after the departure of the numerous geese which pass 
their moulting season on the sea shore. Besides, even the 
few land birds in Nova Zembla are mute, and the insect tribe, 
proportionally much scantier, is also noiseless. Even the 
polar fox is only heard at night. This total want of sounds, 
which especially prevails on serene days, reminds one of the 
stillness of the grave; and the lemmings, which coming forth 
from the earth, glide along in straight lines, and then again 
quickly vanish into it, appear like spectres. From the little 
motion one sees, in spite of these signs of animal life, it seems 


Animal Life in Nova Zembla. 147 


to be wanting. In other regions the leaves of tall plants and 
trees usually make even a gentle breeze perceptible to us, but 
a slight wind does not ruffle these lowly plants of the high 
north; one might take them to be painted. A very few in- 
sects only are busy seeking to satisfy their little wants upon 
them. Of the numerous family of beetles only one individual 
has been found, a Chrysomela, which is perhaps a new species. 
On sunny days and in warm spots for instance, about the 
small projecting points of rock, a humble-bee is seen flying 
about, but it hardly hums, as is the case with us in moist 
weather. Flies and gnats are rather more numerous; but 
even these are so rare, so peaceful and languid, that in order 
to see them they must be sought for. I do not recollect ha- 
ving heard that any one of us had been bitten by a gnat, and 
one may truly long for the bite of a Lapland gnat, merely for 
the sake of perceiving life in nature. The most manifest proof 
of the rarity of insects in this country appears from the fol- 
lowing circumstance, that we neither found the least trace of 
insect larve in a dead Walrus which had lain above fourteen 
days on the sea shore, nor in the bones of animals which had 
been killed in former years, even though they were not with- 
out dried flesh on some parts. The common saying in our 
funeral service, that man becomes a prey to worms, is not 
true with respect to the extreme north, and whoever dreads 
this lot has only to be buried in Nova Zembla or Spitzbergen, 
where even the universal decomposing forces of nature will 
act upon him but very slowly *. 

The abundance or scarcity of insects is, next to the vege- 
table kingdom, the surest measure for the climate of a country. 
Both need for their subsistence a certain quantity and a cer- 
tain duration of warmth. This never fails in the torrid zone, 
but as we approach the north it does so in an increasing 
degree. - Insects are however less easily transplanted than 
plants. That we know of no true insects from Spitzbergen 
may well be ascribed to this cause. M. Lehmann neverthe- 
less observed ten species in Nova Zembla, and of these seven 
which are not parasitic. Fabricius described many more spe- 

* At some depth the bodies remain frozen, but even above the earth they 
decay remarkably slow ys 

M 2 


148 K. E. von Baer’s description of 


cies from Greenland, and amongst these even several butter- 
flies, and Scoresby has added to them some few new species 
from East Greenland. But West Greenland, which in com- 
mon life has been considered as the type of all northernmost 
countries, from its having already been known for a longer 
time through the Moravian missionaries, must, especially in 
its southern districts, be a more highly favoured country, for 
it has (even if we pay no attention to the old fabulous ac- 
counts) at the present time, under 61° N. latitude, birch trees 
from 12 to 18 feet high, and of the thickness of a man’s 
thigh, and among these mountain ash. (Egede, Account of 
the Greenland Mission, p.78.) Egede found the corn, which 
he had sown as an experiment under the 64° of latitude, not 
only in ear but already with small grains on the 13th of 
September (/did, p.106 and 112). Things therefore wear a 
very different appearance from those in Nova Zembla, and the 
meteorological observations show sufficiently that it is much 
warmer there. But even regions which enjoy a much lower 
mean yearly temperature than Nova Zembla are much richer 
in animal life, if the summer do but develope more heat. To 
select a less known example I will refer to Nyshne-Kolymsk, 
with a mean temperature of 10°C. According to Wrangell’s 
observations the boundary of the lofty woods is not far off, and 
perhaps they would extend to this place were it not for the 
nearness of the coast, for at Nyshne-Kolymsk there are stunted 
Siberian cedars and bushesin plenty. During the short sum- 
mer there the gnats are an intolerable plague. 

The coast of Nova Zembla is rendered far more lively than 
the interior of the country by the sea-birds which make their 
nests there. Their number and variety is indeed not so great 
as upon the Norwegian coast or some isles and cliffs of Iceland, 
but even here one finds the coast thickly filled with them in 
some spots, and they receive any one who approaches with 
loud cries. Above all, the Foolish Guillemot (Uria Troile), which 
is perhaps as numerous as all the other birds put together, 
dwells in such colonies, sitting in thick troops and in many 
rows one above another upon the scarcely perceptible shelves 
of perpendicular rocks: they rouse themselves when any one ap- 
proaches, and cause the sides of the dark rock to appear spotted 


Animal Life in Nova Zembla. 149 


with their uplifted white bellies. The Russians call such a 
brooding place a bazaar. Thus this Persian word has been 
transplanted by Russian Walrus-fishers to the rocks of the 
frozen ocean and applied to birds in default of human inha~- 
bitants. Upon the points of isolated cliffs, and enduring no 
other birds near it, lives the large grey sea gull (Larus glaucus), 
which the Dutch whale-fishers, I know not why, whether from 
respect or a want of it, have named the Burgomaster. It 
seems to feel itself the lord of this creation, for before a whole 
company of fishermen it is bold enough to pick and choose © 
from the fish that have been thrown upon the shore. 

These birds are the best proofs that there is more to be had 
from the bottom of the sea than on land. In fact here the 
chief sum of animal life is sunk under the surface of the ocean. 
Small Crustacea are particularly numerous here, and above all 
the Gammari, which gather as thickly around a piece of flesh 
thrown into the water as do the gnats in Lapland about a 
warm-blooded animal. With a sieve one may take them up by 
thousands. When we threw lines in Matotschkin-Schar, the 
Walrus-fishers, who never took this trouble assured us that it 
would be quite in vain, for in the first place there were hardly 
any fish there, and moreover the Kapschaki (thus they call the 
Gammari) completely consume within a few hours sometimes 
the bait and sometimes the fish as soon as it is dead. In fact 
we seldom drew up anything but our empty lines. 

Scanty as is the vegetation, it yet feeds a quantity of lem- 
mings. Gentle declivities are frequently burrowed through 
in every direction by them. But the number of animals is 
not near so great as might be supposed from the quantity of 
burrows ; for by far the greater part are empty, which one may 
soon be convinced of by tracking them with dogs, but never- 
theless their number is so considerable as to force us to ask 
how so many lemmings can find support upon such a vegeta~ 
tion. But it is also not impossible that the vegetation ap- 
pears so.small to the observer because the lemmings make a 
considerable portion of it invisible. If they devoured the roots 
not much of the vegetable kingdom of Nova Zembla could long 
remain, and the lemmings themselves would soon perish from 
want of nourishment. But those captured by us could in no 


150 K. E. von Baer’s description of 


way be brought to eat the smallest root. Since, therefore, 
when they are at large they certamly devour the flowers only 
and green parts, and since the plants of this country are all 
perennial, in the following year they again put forth a stem. 
I was still more surprised that when suffering the greatest 
hunger they would touch no Cryptogamia. It is a pity that 
the small number of ferns which have been found did not allow 
us to make trial whether these practical vegetable physiolo- 
gists direct themselves according to the presence of spiral ves- 
sels or follow the divisions of the Linnzean system. There are 
two kinds of them; one seems to be Mus greniandicus, 
Traill, or Mus hudsonius, Auct. They quite agree with the 
description which Richardson gives im the ‘ Fauna Boreali- 
Americana ;’ less with that of Pallas. The other species like- 
wise appears to me distinct from the Scandinavian lemming ; 
in the colour the difference is truly striking. Pallas, who how- 
ever seems only to have seen young animals, has enumerated 
it as a Russian variety of the Scandinavian lemming. The 
first is particularly distinguished by its tameness, for, four- 
and-twenty hours after it had been caught, it hardly made any 
attempt to escape when held free upon the hand, and one never 
sees two individuals of this species quarrelling together. The 
second, yellowish-brown species is much more ready to fight. 

Next to the lemmings the polar foxes are also tolerably nu- 
merous. They find in the lemmings, in young birds, and in the 
sea-animals which are thrown up on the shore, a plentiful sus- 
tenance. 

On the contrary, polar bears are seldom seen in summer, 
either because they avoid the places where they scent men, 
or because they only collect together on those parts of the 
coast where there is ice. The rein-deer also appear to have 
become rare, on the western coast at least, from the numerous 
winterings of late years of the seal-fishers. Not only were 
very few killed during our residence, but one of the companies 
which had passed the winter before in Nova Zembla, and had 
been advised to procure a provision of flesh by hunting the 
rein-deer, had not been able to obtain any. Wolves and com- 
mon foxes, which, at least in the southern part of Nova Zem- 
bla, also sometimes occur, appear never to have been nume- 


+ 


Animal Life in Nova Zembla. 151 


rous even there. With this enumeration the list of land Mam- 
malia would be complete, if MM. Pachtussow and Ziwolka 
had not, during their winter stay, seen a little white animal 
within their hut, which they in their journal call a mouse. 
As the animal seen, according to M. Ziwolka’s testimony, 
must have been larger than a common domestic mouse, and 
therefore could not be an individual of the white variety of 
this animal brought by chance in some ship, I am doubtful 
as to what it can be. On one hand it is stated that the North 
American lemmings become white in winter, but yet not so 
completely white as the animals of the weazel genus; on the 
other hand it might also be possible that the little animal no- 
ticed was a weazel. In Spitzbergen also a little white mammal 
has been observed, whose systematic determination is uncer- 
tain. | 

The sea Mammalia are of more importance, and expensive 
expeditions are yearly fitted out for the purpose of catching 
them by the inhabitants of the coast of the White Sea; but 
unhappily the booty is so uncertain that they may be com- 
pared to a game at hazard. If the sea is unusually free from 
ice the losses are very great. One day however may repay the 
loss of awhole year. For this reason these undertakings have 
always been renewed for centuries, even though they some- 
times entirely fail. The result of a fortunate year is usually 
this, that in the following one too many ships go to Nova 
Zembla, and either destroy to too great an extent these 
mostly gregarious animals, or at least scare them away. 
Thus in the year 1834 some expeditions were very fortunate, 
after a previous cessation; in the year 1835 about 80 ships 
went to Nova Zembla, for which may be reckoned at least 1000 
men. In the year 1836 the number of the ships diminished 
to one half. In the current year there were hardly more than 
20 ships; but only one, which entered the sea of Kara, made 
a great profit: one or two captured nearly enough to pay the 
cost of their fitting out, and of the rest the greater part lost 
far more than a half. 

The most important animal for this chase is the Walrus, and 
after the Walrus the Dolphin (Delphinus Leucas), known un- 
der the name of the white whale, but which is here called 


152 K. E. von Baer’s description of 


Bjelucha or Bjeluga. Among the seals the sea-hare (Mor- 
skoi sajaz), Phoca leporina, Lep, Ph. albigena, Pall., but pro- 
bably not distinct from the Phoca barbata of Fabricius, gives 
the richest produce, both as regards its size and quantity of 
fat, as well as its thick skin. Phoca grenlandica bears among 
the Russians very different names, according to age and 
sex: the old full-coloured male is called Luisan or Luisun 3 
the female, Utjilga; the not yet full-coloured animals, of a 
year old, they call Sjarunok and Sjarka, and the young ones, 
according to their different colours, Pljichanko, Choch- 
lutschka, Bjaka. But they are not quite accurate in the ap- 
plication of these names to the young animals, for they also 
apply them to the young of a third species of seal which occurs 
here, and which when full-grown is called Nerpa. ‘This seal, 
occurring everywhere singly on the coast, is probably Fabri- 
cius’s Phoca hispida. 

A fourth species of seal which belongs to these seas, though 
not to the coast of Nova Zembla itself, but to the Timanic 
coast and to the entrance of the White Sea, and even there 
is not frequently seen, the Tewjak, is said to cover its face with 
acap: itis therefore probably the Klappmiits of the Dutch, or 
Phoca cristata, Erxl., Cystophora borealis, Nilsson. 

Of Cetacea this sea contains in the first place a species of 
whale of the subdivision of fin-fish (Balenoptera), with very 
short whiskers, which I saw in Archangel. They rarely ap- 
pear in the vicinity of Nova Zembla, and one never hears of 
their being stranded on this coast. Nearer to the north coast 
of Lapland, where they are almost yearly thrown on shore in 
the Motowsker bay, they are so frequent that 1 much wonder 
why the earlier attempts for the regular pursuit of this animal, 
difficult it is true to slay, have not been renewed and perse- 
veringly carried on. It is worthy of remark that the Green- 
land whale never appears to stray into the district of Nova 
Zembla. For this reason we must believe that the whale- 
fishery which the Northmen carried on, according to Ohthere’s 
testimony*, in the ninth century, in the neighbourhood of the 
North Cape, was for this very fin-fish. Far more rare is the 


* See King Alfred’s Translation of Orosius, ed. Barrington, p. 241, For- 
ster’s note at the end. 


Animal Life in Nova Zambla. 153 


Narwal (Monodon Monoceros), and only in the neighbour- 
hood of ice. Of Dolphins, this sea contains, besides Delphi- 
nus Leucas, Delphinus Orca (Kossatka), and a small species 
which the Russians call Morskaja Swinja; but I have not been 
able to learn whether this is Delphinus Delphis, or Delph. 
Phocena. 

The sea mammalia in Nova Zembla would therefore be ex- 
actly the same as those known in the Spitzbergen-Greenland 
sea, if the Greenland whale reached as far. 

On the other hand, Spitzbergen and Nova Zembla are stri- 
kingly different in their winged inhabitants. The latter coun- 
try indicates by its birds the vicinity of the continent. It is 
richer in species, but less interesting to the naturalist; for 
many of these species are none other than those which yearly 
pass through our country, and indeed in part remain with us ; 
whilst another part of them go as far as Nova Zembla in order 
to devote themselves to the business of brooding where they 
may be undisturbed. Of land birds we found the Snowy Owl 
(Stryx Nyctea), which indeed passes the winter there; the 
Snow Bunting (Plectrophanes nivalis), Strepsilas collaris, 
Tringa maritima, and a Falcon, which was not very rare in 
Kostin-Schar, but which could not be shot and more closely 
examined. L[arlier accounts also make mention of an Eagle, 
but the Walrus-catchers whom I questioned said they knew 
nothing of it. Perhaps however itis the same as the Falcon. 

Among the web-footed birds which pass the season here 
the Saatgans are so common, at least in the southern island, 
that the collecting their fallen wing-feathers is an object of 
profit; the Ice-duck (Anas glacialis) is frequent, and the 
Singing Swan (Cygnus musicus) not rare. 

According to the assertions of the Walrus-catchers, only one 
species of goose comes to Nova Zembla, and we in fact got sight 
of no other than the Saatgans and the Brent Bernicle (Anser 
torquatus), which latter however does not pass for a goose 
among the Russians. The Hider duck or Eider goose is also 
not rare. The web-footed herbivorous birds however collect 
in much greater numbers upon the island of Kolgujew, which 
is described as covered with swans and geese, than in Nova 
Zembla, where the vegetation is too scanty. On this ac- 


154 Description of Animal Life in Nova Zembla. 


count expeditions are sometimes sent hither to kill and salt 
these birds. A merchant of Archangel told me that once 
15,000 geese were killed here in two hunts. 

To the web-footed birds of Nova Zembla belong moreover 
Uria Troile (in unspeakable numbers), Uria Grylle, Colymbus 
septentrionalis, Sterna Hirundo, Larus glaucus, Larus canus, 
Larus tridactylus, Lestris catarractes,a Procellaria, which we 
however could not procure. Somateria spectabilis and Larus 
eburneus are stated to occur only on the northern coast. 
There also, according to the descriptions we heard, is probably 
found Mormon Fratercula and Mergulus Alle. It appeared 
very singular to me that no one had seen, south of Kostin- 
Schar, a bird of the family of Alcade, as Alca Pica does not 
belong to the most northern birds, and even Mormon Frater- 
cula occurs on the Norwegian coast. 

There is no trace of the whole class of Amphibia in Nova 
Zembla. The Batrachia and Sauria evidently cannot exist for 
want of insects. Of fish, the extreme north, even where very 
rich in individuals, contains generally but very few species, 
and partly for this reason, because the fresh water does not 
possess its peculiar forms so numerous in warmer regions, but 
only the fish that ascend from the sea at certain periods. 
Thus Scoresby says of Spitzbergen and of the neighbouring 
sea, that it has but four kinds of fish. My catalogue of the fish 
of Nova Zembla contains ten, all of which, with the exception 
of the Omul (Salmo Omal, Pall.), which is said to occur on the 
east coast, we have ourselves seen. Among these the most 
important is the Alpine trout (Golez—Salmo alpinus, Fabr.), 
which ascends in autumn into the mountain lakes, and in 
many years is caught in immense quantities and exported to 
distant countries. All the other fish are inconsiderable or of 
no value for commerce, and even in the ceconomy of nature 
only Gadus Saida, Sep., and Cyclopierus Liparis are of any im- 
portance. 


don AEF. Ms Nol, WV Pi. WV. 


S Bast, bth: 


On the fructification of Lycoperdon, &c. 155 


XV.—On the Fructification of Lycoperdon, Phallus, and their 
allied Genera.—By the Rev. M. J. Berxeury, M.A., 
F.L.S. 

{ With a Plate.j 

A GREAT step has been taken towards a more satisfactory ar- 

rangement of Fungi by the discovery of the real structure of 

the fruit-bearing organs in Hymenomycetes. The species of 
the group Tremellini have not yet been sufficiently studied, 
and it is possible that fresh light may be thrown upon the 

Sclerotiacei, but, since the separation of Discomycetes, the 

other Fungi of the class agree admirably in structure. It is 

probable however that two groups of considerable importance, 
though not abounding in species, are still to be added to Hy- 
menomyceies. The structure of Trichogastres and Phalloidet 
is confessedly very imperfectly understood. This has arisen 
partly from the extreme difficulty of ascertaining it with the 
older microscopes, but more especially from the plants having 
been seldom examined in a sufficiently early stage of growth. 

Till Klotzsch* gave under the name of Hymenangium an ana- 

lysis of Rhizopogon virens, which indeed is not arranged by 

Fries amongst the Trichogastres, nothing at all was known of 

the manner in which the reproductive organs are developed. 

The learned mycologist does not seem to have suspected its 

relation to the Trichogastres. He informs us that Dr. Wal- 

roth has found in Grunewald a genus allied to it, and that 

Gautiera of Vittadini belongs also to Hymenomycetes. Both 

are probably subterraneous Lycoperdons. 

If a young plant of Lycoperdon celatum or L. gemmatum 
be cut through and examined with a common pocket lens it 
will be found to consist of a fleshy mass perforated in every 
direction with minute elongated reticulato-anastomosing laby- 
rinthiform cavities. The resemblance of these to the tubes of 
certain Boleti in an early stage of growth first led me to suspect 
that there must be some very close connexion between them. 
If a very thin slice now be taken, while the mass is yet firm, 
and before there is the slightest indication of a change of co- 
lour, the outer stratum of the walls of these cavities is found 


* Dietrich’s Flora Regni Borussici, vol. vi. t. 382. Berlin, 1838, 


156 Rey. M. J. Berkeley on the fructification 


to consist of pellucid obtuse cells placed parallel to each other 
like the pile of velvet, exactly as in the young hymenium of 
an Agaric or Boletus, but without any trace of those processes 
which have been considered by some authors as male organs, 
Occasionally one or two filaments cross from one wall to the 
other, and once I have seen these anastomose. At a more 
advanced stage of growth four little spicules are developed at 
the tips of the sporophores, all of which, as far as I have been 
able to observe, are fertile and of equal height*, and on each 
of these spicules a globose spore is seated. It is clear that we 
have here a structure identical with that of true Hymenomy- 
cetes, a circumstance which accords well with the fleshy habit 
and mode of growth. 

There is some difficulty in ascertaining the exact structure 
of the species just noticed, as the fruit-bearing cells or sporo- 
phores are very small, and when the spicules are developed 
the substance becomes so flaccid that it is difficult to cut a 
proper slice even with the sharpest lancet. I have however 
satisfied myself as to the true structure by repeated observa- 
tions. But should any difficulty arise in verifying it in the 
species in question, there will be none in doing so in Lyco- 
perdon giganteum, Batsch, which more properly belongs to the 
genus Bovista. 

In this species the fructifying mass consists of the same 
sinuous cavities, which are however smaller, so that the sub- 
stance is more compact, and I have not seen them traversed 
by any filaments. In an early stage of growth, the surface of 
the hymenium, that is of the walls of the cavities, consists of 
short threads composed of two or three articulations which 
are slightly constricted at the joints, from which, especially 
from the last, spring short branchlets often consisting of a~ 
single cell. Sometimes two or more branchlets spring from 
the same point. Occasionally the threads are constricted 
without any dissepiments. The terminal articulations are ob- 
tuse and soon swell very much, so as greatly to exceed in dia- 

* M. Klotzsch figures however in his Hymenangium virens the sporophores 
as scattered and projecting beyond the surface of the hymenium, and he re- 
presents also what he calls anthers. This latter circumstance is confirmed 


by Corda inthe Algemeine Botan. Zeitung, though he differs from M. Klotzsch 
as to their form. 


of Lycoperdon, Phallus, and allied Genera. 157 


meter those on which they are seated. When arrived at their 
full growth they are somewhat obovate and produce four spi- 
cules which at length are surmounted each with a globose 
spore. When the spores are fully developed the sporophores 
wither, and if a solution of iodine be applied, which changes 
the spores to a rich brown, they will be seen still adhering by 
their spicules to the faded sporophores. The spores soon be- 
come free, but the spicule often still adheres to them as 
figured by Dr. Greville, ‘Sc. Crypt. Fl’ t. 336, but they are 
not attached to the intermingled filaments. In Bovista plum- 
bea the spores have very long peduncles, I regret that I have 
not been able to meet with a specimen in a fit stage of growth 
to show them adhering to their sporophores. Up to the time 
when the sporophores have nearly arrived at their full growth, 
the structure is essentially the same as in Lyc. giganteum, as 
will be seen from the subjoined figures. 

Young specimens of Geastrum show the same anastomosing 
cavities as Lycoperdon and Bovista; I have not however at 
present been able to meet with a specimen sufficiently young 
to show the development of the spores. The only species 
which occurs abundantly in this neighbourhood is G. Bryantii, 
and in this species the fruit-bearing cells are already withered 
in extremely small specimens long before the volva is rup- 
tured. ) 

I regret not to have had an opportunity of examining Scle- 
roderma and Elaphomyces in a sufficiently early stage of 
growth, but as M. Klotzsch has demonstrated the existence 
of true subterranean Hymenomycetes it is probable that they 
will be found to agree in structure. With respect to Batarrea 
Tulostoma, Cauloglossum and Podaxon, they are so evidently 
allied to Lycoperdon that there can be no doubt that they 
also are Hymenomycetes. Polysaccum according to Corda has 
spores furnished with an hilum, and seated upon short distinct 
cells springing from the flocci. It is probably therefore an 
ally of Lycoperdon. This however, and the genera not named 
above, referred to Trichogastres, require due examination, 

I now come to the consideration of the genus Phallus, and 
I have here to regret that my observations are confined to 
Phallus caninus, but as far as that goes the proof is satisfac- 


158 ‘Rev. M. J. Berkeley on the fructification 


tory that it belongs to the class Hymenomycetes. The diffi- 
culty of examination is here again considerable and the struc- 
ture can be ascertained in young individuals only, in which 
the stem is confined to the pileus, and the fructifying mass 
still spread over its apex. I shall here quote a passage from 
Brongniart’s ‘ Essai d’une classification naturelle des Cham- 
pignons,’ p. 24, who it is to be observed places the Clath- 
roidées amongst his “ champignons proprement dits.” Speak- 
ing of the fructifying mass he says, “ Cette couche est formée 
de cellules membraneuses trés minces, aux parois desquelles 
les sporules paraissent fixées. Mais comment ces sporules 
sont elles enveloppées? Sont elles nues et libres dans ces cel- 
lules, ou sont-ce des sporidies ou méme des théques fixées 4 _ 
leurs parois? C’est ce que nous ignorons.” This I believe 
is the sum of our knowledge on the subject up to the present 
time. I have not at least met with anything additional, but 
there are several German journals to which I have not access. 
As in Lycoperdon, the fructifying mass consists of a highly 
sinuated hymenium. The walls are composed of elongated 
somewhat spathulate cells surmounted with from four to six 
spicules, each of which bears an oblong spore. The sporo- 
phores here again appear to be all fertile and of nearly the 
same height, but I cannot speak so positively on this point 
from the extreme difficulty of cutting a clean slice from amass 
which at all times is very flaccid. It will be observed that 
when the number exceeds four the additional spicule is seated 
between two, which form one side of a square (-’ *) and that 
if a sixth is present it is placed opposite to the fifth (-? °-). 
Here again then we have an Hymenomycetous fungus, and 
there can be no doubt that the same structure will be found 
in all the Phalloidei. Nor is there any reason why they should 
not follow directly after the Trichogastres through Batarrea, 
the only difference being that the filaments which form the 
trama, that is the substance between the two surfaces of the 
hymenium, in the one case become rigid, in the other deli- 
quescent. We have already seen that the sporophores in L. 
giganteum become flaccid and collapse, and it is probably in 
consequence of this that the mass becomes pulpy, a circum- 
stance noticed by Fries as analogous to the deliquescence in 


ne 


ae 
be 


Ann, Vat. Hist Nol. NPLV. 


Fruchiuainm of Fungo 


of Lycoperdon, Phallus, and allied Genera. 159 


Phalloidet ; and the deliquescence of Coprini and other agarics 
shows that the matter is not of very great importance. 

It is to be wished that some one favourably situated and 
with more leisure than I have to devote to such researches 
would follow up the present observations in genera which 
have not been examined. When this is done the affinities of 
the two groups we have been considering may perhaps be 
satisfactorily explained. A previous problem however, and 
unfortunately one of some difficulty, remains to be solved, 
namely, the structure of Myxogastres in an early stage of 
growth. At present I have not been able to ascertain this, 
but the difficulties are perhaps not insuperable. It is probable 
that Piychogaster ‘ Cord. Ic.’ 2. fig. 90 will prove the key to 
the affinities of Trichogastres and Myxogastres. 


EXPLANATION OF PLATE V. 
Fig. 1. Portion of fleshy mass of Lyc. celatum. 

2. Three sporophores with their spicules and spores. 

3. Do. showing their mode of attachment to the filaments of the trama. 
This however is not constant. 

4, Filament occasionally found amongst the sporophore. 

5. Sporophores seen from above with their four spicules. 

6. Abortive sporophores of the cavities of the stem or base of the fungus. 
These it is to be observed are much larger than those which are fertile. 

7, 8. Filaments which at length produce the sporophores in Lye. gigan- 
teum. 

9. Sporophores. In two the spicules are just developed. 

10, 11, 12. Do. in various stages of growth. 

13. Do. become flaccid. The portion examined was treated with iodine. 

14. Spores. 

15, 16, 17. Filaments which produce the sporophores in Bovista plumbea. 
In 17 there are no dissepiments. 

18. Sporophores not yet perfected. 

19. Young plant of Phallus caninus cut vertically. Nat. size. 

20. Filaments of which the jelly of the volva is composed. Occasionally 
they contain as at (a) a row of globules, and some are terminated 
with a globule as at (0). 

21. A vertical slice from the apex of the rudimental stem, showing the 
manner in which its substance is continuous with the trama. 

22. A horizontal slice. 

23. A vertical slice from the outside of the pileus, 

24, 25. Sporophores with their spicules and spores. 

26. A single spore. 

All the figures are more or less highly magnified with the exception of 19. 


160 Sir W. Jardine on the Habits of Crotophaga. 


XV1.—Hore Zoologice. By Sir W. Jarvine, Bart. 


** Donec ergo meliora innotuerint, hisce utere, lector optime, quorum finis 
est, ei Scientie parare viam, qua nulla utilior, nulla nobilior.” 


Ir is proposed to bring together in a series of short papers 
the zoological information which may from time to time come 
into the possession of the author. Many curious forms con- 
tinually present themselves which are left unnoticed, because 
their descriptions alone would not be of sufficient extent to 
form a “ paper” for our periodicals. It will be his endeavour 
to illustrate these as often as possible, so that their descrip- 
tions may serve as a mark for others, from which to note those 
points in their history which are unknown, or which from the 
outward form only may be supposed or hinted at. There is 
much important information gained in correspondence with 
naturalists in foreign countries, which can scarcely be commu- 
nicated except in detached portions. The notes which ac- 
company collections from abroad are in some instances so ex- 
tensive as to be useful in forming skeleton lists for some de- 
partments of the Fauna of particular districts and become ex- 
tremely interesting in connexion with the geographical distri- 
bution of species ;—and the examination of specimens received 
in spirits will furnish many subjects for illustration, which 
may tend to increase our knowledge of the structure of genera, 
the proper station of which in our systems is scarcely yet de- 
termined. | 


No. I.—On the History and Habits of Crotophaga. 


For some time past we have annually received considerable 
collections of birds from the island of Tobago by the attention 
and exertions of Mr. James Kirk, who since 1825 has super- 
intended the management of various estates there. The spe- 
cimens which have been received will enable us soon to give 
a synopsis of the birds inhabiting the above-mentioned island, 
which will show a much more extensive list than what might 
be expected within such limited bounds, and will be found to 
contain several birds interesting both on account of their form 
and their hitherto supposed comparative rarity. But the col- 


Sir W. Jardine on the Habits of Crotophaga. 161 


lections are still more enhanced in value by the notes which 
Mr. Kirk has now commenced to send to us, and which are 
the result of observations made during leisure time since he 
resided in Tobago ; and it is now our object to communicate a 
part of these, without delaying for the completion of our pro- 
posed synopsis. 

Crotophaga is a genus belonging to the new world, evidently 
composed of comparatively few species, one of those remark- 
able small groups where the distinctions rest on minute vari- 
ations of the markings and proportions, while the general form 
keeps extremely similar, and one distribution of colour and of 
general tint prevails in all the members. At this time the 
specific distinctions are not well understood, and it will be 
extremely difficult for even an experienced ornithologist to 
separate the species without the possession of an extensive 
series from various localities. Mr. Swainson has described 
four species in addition to the greater and lesser Ani (C. Ani 
and major, of Systems), considering that mentioned by Les- 
son and Quoy and Gaimard as identical with one of them *, 
The characters are taken from the form of the bill and the 
markings and rugosities, or the want of them, on its surface ; 
but, without wishing to throw any doubt on the claim these 
have to species, we would remark that the changes which the 
bill may undergo from youth to maturity, both in regard to 
its outline and markings, have scarcely been ascertained. By 
most writers and travellers the Crotophage have been described 
as gregarious, noisy +, often familiar, frequenting Savannas and 
pastures, feeding on insects as well as seeds and grains, fre- 


* Animals in Menageries, p. 321. 

+ “ They live chiefly upon ticks and other small vermin, and may be fre- 
- quently seen upon the cows and oxen in the fields ; they are often observed 
to fly on their backs, unless they lie down for them, which if much troubled 
with ticks they generally do when they see the birds about them, but if the 
beast be heedless they hop once or twice round it, looking very earnestly in 
the face every time they pass, as if they seemed to know that it was only 
necessary to be seen to be indulged. They are very nvisy birds, and are of 
the most common sorts in al] the pastures of Jamaica ; their flight is low and 
short.”—Brown’s Nat. Hist. of Jamaica, p.474. Fol. edit. 1756. 

“In Jamaica it haunts the woods on the edges of the Savannahs, and is 
very common, making a loud noise upon the sight of mankind—Directs the 
planters in search of their runaway slaves.’’—Sloane’s Jamaica, ii. p. 298. 
Fol. edit. 1725. 


Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. 4. No. 23. Nov. 1839. N 


162 Sir W. Jardine on the Habits of Crotophaga. 


quently alighting on the backs of the flocks in search of the 
vermin with which they are infested, breeding in a community, 
and sometimes using a common nest, in which several toge- 
ther deposit and hatch their eggs, the nest being placed upon 
trees, bushes, or upon the ground*. In reading over Mr. 
Kirk’s remarks upon the Tobago species it will be found that 
they generally agree with the notes we have given from various 
travellers, &c. But we find no trace of their ever building 
upon the ground, or of using a common nest}; the latter fact, if 
it ever takes place at all, being probably confined to some other 
species. In the system which Mr. Swainson has so success- 
fully wrought out, Crotophaga is placed among the Cuculide 
to form a connexion with the Rasores, and among that order 
of birds only do we find a few species which incubate in a 
common nest. In other parts of their manners and structure, 


* “ Crotophaga for instance resembles the Rasores; both have such a 
weak flight that they seldom proceed far upon the wing; both habitually live 
and build their nests upon the ground, and both associate in flocks. Among 
hundreds of the common Ani which we have seen in South America we 
never beheld one perch upon anything higher than a bush, and this was but 
seldom, as they are habitually terrestrial birds, totally differing in ceconomy 
and habits from the European or American cookoos.”—LZardner’s Cabinet 
Cyclopedia, ‘ Birds,’ ii. p. 161. 

“Tl en est de méme (se laisse facilement approcher) des nichées d’anis, 
qui, vivant en famille, s’expose a la file sur un méme branche aux coups du 
chasseur.”—Quoy et Gaimard, Voy. de Freycinet, p.19. 

‘“‘ At Bahia, or rather its vicinity, the chattering crows (Crotophaga) are 
looked upon superstitiously, and their bills are reckoned a good antidote 
against poison.”—Dampier’s Voy., ili. p. 50. 8vo edit. 1729. 

+ ‘‘ Hujus speciei aves amplissimos in sepibus nidos construunt et quinqua~ 
ginta simulin uno eodemque nido ova ponunt et incubant.”— Brisson, Synop. 
Method. ii. p. 92. 

The author of the article ‘Ani’ in the ‘ Dictionaire Classique d’ His- 
toire Naturelle’ gives the summary of our previous notes, but is more minute 
on the subject of nidification: ‘‘Un seul et méme nid, dont 1l’étendue est 
augmentée selon les besoins, recoit ordinairement toutes les couveuses de la 
troupe. Ce nid est construit solidement entre de larges bifurcations d’un - 
buisson épais ou d’un arbre touffu; il se compose de branches séches et 
d’herbes fines entrelacées; ses bords sont assez relevés, et son diamétre est 
quelquefois d’un pied et demi. I] arrive presque toujours que, pendant l’in- 
cubation, les ceufs se mélent; alors les couveuses en rassemblent indifférem- 
ment sous leur aile vivifiante autant qu’elle peut en couvrir, et dés que ces 
ceufs sont éclos, les parens, hors d’état de reconnaitre leur véritable progéni- 
ture, donnent chacun a leur tour la becquée a tous ceux qui se présentent.” 
—i. p. 367. Art. Ani. 

We regret being unable to quote the description of Azara ; our copy of 
that work is unfortunately deficient in the last volume, and the Edinburgh 
libraries do not possess it. 


Sir W. Jardine on the Habits of Crotophaga. 163 


_ particularly their activity on the ground and propensity to hide 
from danger, we are reminded also of the Grallatores ; many 
members of both orders run with great swiftness and thread 
their way with ease through thick herbage and tangled reeds. 
The Rallide among the latter show much activity, and natu- 
rally live in places rank with vegetation, and the knife-like bill 
of Crotophaga, the superciliar bristles, and the strong shafts 
to the feathers of the forehead, all bear analogy to the defences 
upon the bill and head of the rails and their allies. The inter- 
nal structure of the bird, which we shall notice hereafter, ex- 
hibits little affinity to either of these orders. Mr. Kirk has 
thus described their manners in a letter received from him 
during the last winter :— | 

“ This bird, with his grotesque bill, is only of recent appear- 
ance in this island. Jam informed that the first pair seen 
here was in the years 1822 or 1823: at that period however 
there were few individuals here who devoted the smallest por- 
tion of their leisure to the pursuit of natural history, and hence 
a strange bird might for a short time have evaded the observa- 
tion of those who took no interest in such matters. But when 
we look to the noisy and obtrusive habits of the bird itself, 
combined with its singular whistling note and very singularly 
' shaped bill, and seeing its haunts are strictly confined within 
the limits of our cultivation, and more especially to low lands 
in the vicinity of what we call clear pastures or low shrubberies, 
swamps, &c., we are constrained to believe that a single pair 
could scarcely have located themselves for any length of time 
in any quarter of the island without exciting the curiosity and 
arresting the attention of some individual. 

“ On my arrival here, in January 1825, there were only a 
very few specimens to be met with, and those few were shy, 
an attribute which seems to desert them as they increase in 
numbers, for the general impression entertained by any calm 
observer (en passant) would be that they could kill at any hour 
or any day at least five or six at a single shot, and that that 
may sometimes be done I will admit while they cluster upon 
the tops of dry shrubs morning and evening pluming and ad- 
justing their feathers, for it is to trees or shrubs containing 
the least foliage that they chiefly resort for this. purpose. 

N 2 


164 Sir W. Jardine on the Habits of Crotophaga. 


Before I commenced this memorandum regarding the habits 
of the Crotophaga J entertained a very different opinion as to 
the facility of procuring them from what I do at this moment ; 
and it may be worth relating here for your information, that, 
with the view of complying with your request, I went out on 
two successive days to procure perfect specimens to send home 
in spirits; but, strange as it may appear, out of fourteen birds 
which I shot I could only lift three, and those so much de- 
stroyed, as to render them useless for the purposes for which 
they were intended. From this I wish to convey that if the 
bird is not actually shot dead, its propensity to hide is such, 
that if there is a cane-piece, a vine, or grass plot within reach, 
the last expiring effort is to hide its head, and you will the 
more readily conceive our difficulty by this information, that 
what we call comparatively clear pastures may nevertheless 
(from the rapidity of the vegetation, where we can only per- 
haps afford to clear them once yearly) be covered with prickly 
creeping vines of all descriptions, three or four feet high ; and 
it often happens, that in consequence of the hurry to procure 
the specimens just shot, the ornithological sportsman finds 
himself lacerated from the foot to the face, being lanced with 
a thousand hooked prickles at the same moment; it was in 
such a situation that 1 found myself on the 26th of September 
last, under the oppressive heat of a vertical sun. 

“The young also evince great dexterity in hopping from 
branch to branch; for long ere they are able for flight they 
leave the nests, and may frequently be seen perched on the 
top of a shrub or thicket of vines with a congregation of adult 
birds; but as the parents retire from the intruder by flight, 
the young birds prepare by long and rapid leaps to get to the 
ground, and in such a situation suffice it to say that you might 
calculate with.as much certainty upon the capture of a rat in 
full possession of all its faculties as upon that of the young Cro- 
tophaga. Only two days ago, in a comparatively clear pasture, 
where there was nothing but grass about twelve inches long, I 

-handed one to my servant, who by some means or other let it 
slip through his fingers in my presence, and notwithstanding 
our united exertions and that of a third party the bird made 
its escape. Since, another has been procured and the man- 


Sir W. Jardine on the Habits of Crotophaga. 165 


ners attentively’watched. It is exceedingly wild and bites 
wickedly, and frequently draws blood with its claws. It rea- 
dily devours grasshoppers (if alive), these constituting their 
principal food. In a wild state I have known them devour 
tadpoles with avidity in dry weather, and I have often been 
informed that they have been seen to pick the ticks from the 
stock in the pastures: this I will not contradict, but never saw ; 
I watched them for upwards of an hour yesterday, and the re- 
sult was, that three of these birds took their station around an 
ox, within three or four feet distance, sitting on the alert, 
hopping gradually forward with every motion of the ox as he 
browsed along, and springing: on every insect that started be- 
fore him. : 

“On looking at this curious bird a question naturally presents 
itself to the beholder, What can be the use of such a singularly 
sharp rigid bill? and although at first sight we are apt to pro- 
nounce this bill grotesque and deformed, we shall find on more 
mature consideration that the superintending care and provi- 
dence of an all-wise Creator is manifest here as in all his 
works, for no other conformation could have suited his pur- 
poses so well. As they have been destined like other species 
to labour for their food, and as it has more particularly been 
their lot to search for it upon the ground and in a climate 
where the foliage is thick and luxuriant, the manifestation of 
the supreme wisdom is apparent when he views with what 
ease the Crotophaga can pounce upon his prey through the 
thickest foliage: by lowering the head the knife-ridged bill is 
so brought in contact with the grass, &c., as to throw the 
herbage to each side, enabling the bird to pursue the insect 
without the slightest resistance. 

“ They are in no ways anxious to be exalted, for they seldom 
choose a high tree when there is a suitable shrub in the vici- 
nity; and although there are great numbers now in every 
estate where cultivation has been extended, yet they seldom 
fly in flocks of more than twenty, and even to that extent they 
may scarcely be called flocks, like the Rooks of Europe, or the 
Yellow-tail (Cassicus cristatus) of Tobago; but seem rather to 
_ follow each other in short flights from shrub to shrub, sound- 
ing their note as they proceed, which is a whistle of two syl- 


166 Sir W. Jardine on the Habits of Crotophaga. 


lables, shorter but not unsimilar to the first note of the Cur- 
lew while soaring aloft, the latter part of the note of the Keel- 
bills being in a sharper key and ending with the letter p, or 
somewhat like the syllables whoorip. They are very often 
come upon by surprise while searching for their food amongst 
vines and long grass; on such occasions a single bird evinces 
the greatest distress by violent efforts of wing and elaborate 
and frequent irregular repetition of its usual note; while on 
the contrary to see them descend from an eminence, a tree, 
or shrub, &c., nothing can exceed the ease and gracefulness 
of their movements as they glide through the air without a 
motion of wings except a slight alternate raising and depress- 
ing of these members, with a gently elevated tail. 

“J have heard it observed that these birds make one general 
nest, and that numbers of them contribute in adding to the 
stock of eggs; this I cannot contradict, but do not credit. 
On this point I am not sufficiently informed, for although I 
have been in search after their nests for several years and of- 
fered rewards for procuring them, yet where there are hun- 
dreds of the birds,—and they are apparently increasing with 
rapidity,—our stock-ketpers have never succeeded in finding 
me one nest. I however fortunately fell in with one last year, 
in the beginning of October (1837). It was built in the fork 
of a lime tree, covered with a thicket of misseltoe vine, and 
situate within fifteen feet of the dwelling-house door of one 
of our labourers. His description went to say that towards 
evening and morning a flock of the birds used to assemble 
upon the tree and in its vicinity, where they kept up a consi- 
derable noise. I made it my study to watch them on several 
occasions, but was unable to gather anything of importance. 
I robbed the nest of one egg daily to the amount of nine, 
and on my tenth visit found the nest with two broken eggs 
lying at the root of the tree. It was rudely constructed of 
coarse materials, chiefly small sticks, with the more pliable 
portions placed inside, but was totally destitute of any soft 
substance as a lining. Another nest was discovered towards 
the end of the same month constructed in a similar man- 
ner, but. placed on this occasion on a pretty high tree, also 
covered with a creeping vine; this being left undisturbed 


Sir W. Jardine on the Habits of Crotophaga. 167 


five eggs were laid, from which two young birds were pro- 
duced*, From what I have observed on those two instances 
I am inclined to believe that the report of their uniting in the 
construction of the nest and their hatching in concert is erro- 
neous, but I shall endeavour ere long to procure more in- 
formation when I shall again address you.” 

On the 22nd of March last Mr. Kirk again wrote to me, af- 
ter having still further attended to some of the disputed points 
of the habits of Crotophaga. “In some of my former letters 
T mentioned that I should advance nothing on hearsay as au- 
thentic, and to that I have steadily adhered. Since my ac- 
count of the Crotfophaga’s manner of breeding, as reported in 
my last, I have had an opportunity of further corroboration 
by the examination of another nest with seven eggs, taken 
from a thicket of shrubs and vines about six feet from the 
ground. The nest, as I have already observed, is of such 
rude manufacture, that I could not forward it without enclo- 
sure in a parcel to prevent the falling asunder; by an exami- 
nation of it however I am convinced that you would require 
no further evidence to bring you to the conviction that the 
Crotophaga of Tobago builds on shrubs, nay even on a tree 
at times, and never on the ground.” In regard to the na- 
ture of its food and manner of seizing it, Mr. Kirk also re- 
marks, “I have watched the bird eagerly for the last six 
months, | may say every day, and although I have been told 
by some of my neighbours, on whose integrity I can depend, 
that they have seen them picking ticks from the legs and belly 
of our oxen in the pasture, it has never yet fallen to my lot to 
witness it, nor did I ever find one tick in their stomach. I 
have however seen one lately upon a sheep’s back while lying 
in the pasture, but I have seen the magpie of Europe in the 
same position. I do not attempt to deny the probability of 
their eating ticks, but I maintain that grasshoppers form their 
chief food, and that these are principally obtained by at- 
tendance upon the stock while browsing through the foliage. 
They are also in dry weather close attendants about small ri- 
vulets, principally in the morning and evening, where they 


_* The eggs are white or greenish white ; the longitudinal diameter from 
13 inch to 14 inch and a half, 


168 Sir W. Jardine on éhe Habits of Crotophaga. 


feed upon tadpoles, and may be descried, if the grass be not 
too long, huddled together in a flock of from twenty to thirty, 
and so close as to resemble an old coat or cloak at a little di- 
stance.” 

From the near alliance which the species of Crotophaga 
present to each other it may be necessary to describe the To- 
bago birds as minutely as possible, which we are enabled to 
do by the possession of skins and specimens in spirits, for- 
warded to us by our active and intelligent correspondent. 
From the form and markings of the bill exhibited in the an- 
nexed wood-cut we feel inclined to refer it to the C. rugirostra 
of Swainson, though from the manner in which the dimen- 
sions are given in that ornithologist’s ‘Two Centenaries’ we 
are not so sure that our birds agree in the latter point. 


le 


C. rugirostra, Sw.? Wrinkled-billed Keel-bill ; provincially 
in Tobago, “ Old Wife.” 


Entirely black, glossed with violet reflexions on the wings 
and tail; feathers of the head, neck and body with conspicu- 
ous glossy margins ; bill wrinkled transversely downwards ; total 
length from 13 to 15 inches. 


The specimens received vary in total length from 13 to rather 
more than 15 inches, in one of about 143 inches in length ; the 
depth of the bill is 1 inch; the length to the extremity of the 
rictus 14; length of the wing from the shoulder to the end 
of the fourth or longest quill 6 inches, of the tail from its in- 
sertion 7?; from beyond the wings 43; expanse of the wings 
163; of the tarsus 13; the centre toe, including the claw, 
nearly the same. In the specimens received in spirits the bill 


Sir W. Jardine on the Habits of Crotophaga. 169 


is of a grayish-black, at the base of the maxilla inclining to 
bluish-black; it varies in the elevation or development as 
seen in the cut. No.1, drawn from a bird fully 15 inches in 
length, being much arched. No. 2, considerably Jess deve- 
loped, belonging to a smaller specimen (133 inches) either in 
the moult or scarcely having attained full plumage. The man- 
dible in both is wrinkled transversely downwards. The eye 
is protected by strong superciliary bristles, but the space be- 
tween it and the rictus is nearly bare of feathers, a few scat- 
tered bristly plumes only covering it. The ridge of the bill 
enters among the plumes of the forehead, which run down in 
a narrow point on each side towards the nostrils, and at this 
part and above the eyes they show strong rather elongated 
shafts, somewhat similar to what we perceive in some of the 
Rallide, and are without doubt intended to protect the face 
' while they seek for their prey among the thick herbage. This 
structure in a less degree extends also over the head, cheeks, 
throat and sides of the neck, the feathers being there rigid and 
somewhat lanceolate in form. The ground tint of the plumage 
of the body is a dull black, each feather being margined with 
a glossy band of a yellowish metallic lustre on the head and 
neck, on the back and lower parts of steel-blue and violet. 
These bands, on the vent, flanks, and under tail-covers are 
wanting. The wings and tail are of a shade of black deeper 
than that of the body, and are richly tinted with violet re- 
flexions ; the secondaries, greater covers, and tail in some lights 
showing darker narrow transverse bars; the tail is rounded 
- and very ample; the feathers broadening towards the tips, and 
in its whole appearance reminding us of that member in seve- 
ral of the Rasorial genera; in all our specimens it consisted 
only of eight feathers ; the legs and feet are black, the tarsus 
and middle toe very nearly of equal length, the claws slightly 
hooked. The exterior toe is subversatile, but the structure of 
the foot is in other respects ambulatorial. Mr. Kirk states 
that the eyes are “very dark, apparently blue, except in sun- 
light, when they assume a very dark hazel-like colour.” 
When the Crotophaga is skinned the first impression is that 
of a general weakness of the muscular parts, and it is so with 


170 ~— Sir W. Jardine on the Habits of Crotophaga. 


the exception of the greater pectoral muscle, which is wide and 
thick, and covers broadly a sternum comparatively weak and 
with the keel slightly developed, causing the breast to appear 
as possessing great power. ‘The principal muscles which are 
employed in moving the wings are weak, those of the limbs 
proportionally fuller and stronger, and from the knee down- 
wards tendinous and as if much used. The trachea is simple 
along its whole length, and the tongue is rather large and re- 
sembles that of the Corvine. The esophagus on leaving the 
mouth is widened, but immediately contracts to a simple tube, 
again widening into a narrow proventriculus interiorly striated 
with longitudinal rugze, until within half an inch of the true 
stomach, where it exhibits a glandular slightly papillose inner 
surface. The true stomach when distended with food is nearly 
circular, flattened on the sides, and on the outside appears 
muscular and strong; on laying it open however the walls are 
found tobe extremely thin, almost membranaceous, and scarcely 
exceed in thickness any other part of the canal. The intes- 
tine is terminated by a wide cloaca, and is furnished at the di- 
stance of two inches from the extremity with two oval ceca, 
14 inch in length, joined to the tube by a narrow constriction, 
but widening at the ends to double the width of the common 
canal. In the whole of the internal structure, so far as our 
knowledge of that of Cuculide extends, the Crotophage will 
resemble them, and will bear out Mr. Swainson’s views of 
their position. The intestinal canal approaches nearest after- 
‘wards to the conformation of that of some of the Fissirostres ; 
but with the exception of largely developed czeca, which how- 
ever to a great extent prevail among the Jnsessores, we see 
no approach to either the Rasores or Grallatores. In the let- 
ter which accompanied the specimens in spirits Mr. Kirk states 
““ As the Crotophage now sent have been principally secured 
while attending on the herds of cattle and sheep, it might 
justly be expected that their stomachs will contain ticks, but 
I could prognosticate that you will find them on examination 
to contain principally large grasshoppers, and I found one exa- 
mined lately to contain a few seeds of the Guava fruit.” The 
stomachs when opened were-found to. contain principally 


Account of a Journey across the Pampas. 171 


Grylli and Cimices, mixed with the small hard stones of a 
red berry or red pulpy fruit; in some instances the latter 
formed almost the exclusive contents, but in none have we 
been able to discover any of the parasites which infest sheep 


or cattle. 
[To be continued. ] 


XVIIl.—Eztracts from a few rough Notes of a Journey across 
the Pampas of Buenos Ayres to Tucuman, in 1835. By 
JAMES TwEEDIE, Esq., addressed to Sir W. J. Hooker. | 


{ Concluded from p.104.] 


May 8th. In the afternoon left this our dreary 3 weeks’ 
abode, and the cattle being in good condition, travelled all 
night through a dark dense forest, where the road or rather 
path was so narrow that 2 carts must wait, should they chance 
to meet, until the trees have been felled so as to permit of a 
passage. The numerous fect and wheel tracks raised such a 
dust as hung over us in heavy clouds all the way, a perfect 
calm prevailing in the air, and the travellers, carts, and cattle 
were all of one colour, enveloped or buried m a covering of 
dry dust. In the morning, about daylight, my driver falling 
asleep, the bullocks deviated a little from the path and upset 
my waggon. Fortunately, though I fell from a considerable 
height and some heavy bales of cloth tumbled upon me, I 
escaped with only a slight bruise on one of my legs. Next 
day travelled through a saline country where there was no 
water and only salt shrubs for the poor animals to eat, and 
arrived in the evening at the little village of Atamisco, so 
named from a finely scented shrub, which grows in great 
abundance about it. Scarcely any vegetable was seen ex- 
cept some coarse herbage, upon which flocks of goats were 
browsing. 

10th. In the morning we arrived at the Rio Pitambella, 
where we were again occupied 2 days crossing it in 2 canoes 
fixed together by poles tied across them, by which means each 
load was carried over at one time. The empty carts were 
drawn across by bullocks as at the Rio Saladillo. At this 
pass, having once more time to botanize for 3 days, I found 


172 Account of a Journey across the 


several species that were new to me, especially of grass, some 
strong plants of Goodenia tubercsa, Barba del muerio, 2 sp., 
and many things | did not know. While here, I entered my 
60th year, and falling into a sort of melancholy fit, at remem- 
bering that I was now 9000 miles distant from my native 
country, and at the present time surrounded with a class of 
people more barbarous than the worst tribes of savages, men 
who rejoice in the difficulties and dangers of others, nothing 
affording them more delight than seeing a person fall from his 
horse or attacked by an infuriated bull, events which here 
very frequently happen ;—these being, I say, the prevailing 
sentiments of my mind on the anniversary of my birth, my 
fellow-traveller, a Dr. Mernoz, recommended as a cordial to 
the spirits, a drop of wine; so extracting the cork of, alas! 
my last bottle of Madeira, he and I sat down to enjoy it, 
and soon drained the flask. 

13th. Having now completed crossing our last difficult 
river in the way to Tucuman, a more pleasant tract of coun- 
try opened upon us, consisting of gently undulated ground 
with some fine varieties of trees and shrubs, principally of M- 
mosas. For 2 days, however, we travelled through a parched 
district, where neither food nor water for the beast could be 
procured. No cattle were to be seen between the Rio Pitam- 
bella and San Jago, a distance of 26 leagues, except a few 
goats, the kids of which we bought at about sixpence each. 

17th. At sunset halted on the summit of an elevated ridge, © 
about 1 league from San Jago, intending to enter the town 
before the morning ; but a cloud of hail with a strong gale of 
wind passing over us in the night, the cattle were so much 
scattered by it among the dry forests in search of food, that 
we could not collect them till sunset. On looking out of my 
dusty den in the cart at sunrise, the air having been beauti- 
fully cleared by the gale of the night, I beheld one of the most 
sublimely grand sights that could be imagined ; the towering 
summits of the snow-covered Andes, their sharp peaks of va- 
rious forms, heights, and sizes, stretching up among the long 
lines of light clouds that lazily hung in the atmosphere ; their 
backs romantically variegated with black and white, the thin- 
ner snowy mantle haying been melted by the sun from the 


Pampas of Buenos Ayres to Tucuman. 173 


projecting points, while the valleys still lay dark and dense in 
frozen shade. This view of those alpine regions was most 
gratifying to me, and my ever-busy memory presently recalled 
to me a similar scene, when, in my youthful years, I had 
stood upon the hills of the Upper Ward of Lanarkshire, and 
with my face turned towards north-west, gazed on the moun- 
tains of Argyleshire and the Western Highlands, where, in 
the spring, the snow, melting from the exposed parts of the 
rocks, leaves alternate streaks of black and white. This ridge 
of the Cordilleras lies in the province of Catam, distant, at 
the time, upwards of 50 miles in a straight line on our left 
hand, and in a direction W.N.W. 

18th. Halted about a mile and half from San Jago, having 
adopted another road, by which we should avoid going through 
the town, but sent 2 waggons thither with goods, which being 
obliged to cross the river San Jago, did not return to us till 
noon of the second day, 5 hours being required to pass the 
river. In this district vegetation varied considerably: in 
all other places of the woods, the plains were covered with a 
yellow-berried suffruticose plant, which gave the ground at a 
distance much the appearance of the holms of Clyde when gay 
with rag-weed ; but though this shrub abounded so much, 
almost to the exclusion of other vegetation, neither bird nor 
beast appeared to touch its foliage or fruit. Here I found a 
strong broad-leaved Asclepias, on the edge of the river several 
smaller perennial species ; but the most attractive tree here is 
the Mistol, a large branching tree something like a big pear 
tree of the Tollo family of Buenos Ayres; the fruit much re- 
sembling a Kentish cherry, and which the natives gather care- 
fully and dry as they would do figs: when these fruits are 
used they are steeped in warm water and then worked up into 
a dough of maize meal, kernels and all, and rolled into balls 
about 4 oz. weight, which are eaten, baked and prepared in 
various ways, being the principal food on which the natives 
depend, except a few goats; for the dearth of water and pas- 
ture, with the prevalence of dense forests and salinos, prevent 
the rearing of cattle. Except a few spots near the town, 
where maize and pompions are grown, I saw hardly any cul- 
tivated ground for many leagues around San Jago. 


174 Account of a Journey across the 


Being now only 40 leagues from the town of Tucuman and 
my patience quite exhausted, I quitted the tropa, and accom- 
panying the owner of 32 mules which were going to the mines 
of Peru, I started with him on the 20th. It proved no easy 
job for the 4 men and the proprietor to drive these animals, 
they strayed so much into the thorny brushwood ; and though 
the driver was faced from top to toe with a hide protector, he 
had much difficulty in making his way through the woods, 
especially where the Chaneos abounded. ‘These delays how- 
ever allowed me to botanize and to gather a few seeds, for of 
flowering specimens there were none. About 9 o’clock we 
halted in the woods and kindled. a fire to prepare our asado 
for supper, but the night proved so extremely cold that we 
could not sleep, so we started at about 3 in the morning and 
travelled till sunrise, when we arrived at the site of a few 
ranchos. Here we tied our horses to trees, entered the most 
decent looking dwelling, which proved to be the principal inn, 
as I suppose, of the country, for few were the habitations of 
any kind that we had seen, and called for something for break- 
fast. The morning being very chilly we were ushered into 
the principal apartment, which was nothing more than a 
roughly finished hut, covered with a sort of long grass, its 
sides not. even plastered with mud, only stuffed with straw 
and sticks between the posts; in the centre was a large fire 
of sticks, a welcome sight for our cold persons ; this fire-place 
was a circle of large coarse stones, 6 feet in diameter, placed 
in the centre of the room, and holding as many ashes as seemed 
a twelvemonth’s accumulation. Four women, 6 naked child- 
ren, and a lot of dogs, cats, and poultry surrounded the fire, 
all contending which should get the largest share of an over- 
plus of boiled pompions which had been left from last night’s 
supper. One old woman was busy scraping the outer skin 
from more pompions for the family’s breakfast, while the 
others sat idly looking on. The mode of preparing the pom- 
pions for food was to slit the largest in halves, and then put- 
ting them into the hottest part of this enormous fire, to fill 
the hollow or concaye side with hot charred wood. While 
they they were thus roasting the landlord desired that the 
cow should be brought in and milked, which was done ac- 


Pampas of Buenos Ayres to Tucuman. 175 


cordingly, the black boy who performed the operation using 
the only utensil apparently in the house to receive the milk, 
namely, the huge pot or boiler from which the dogs had been 
licking the relics of pompions, some of which still adhered to 
its sides: this was set on the fire; and by the time the milk 
was, boiled the pompions were sufficiently roasted, when scra- 
ping off with difficulty the black and ashy skin, I put some 
of the pulp into the milk and managed to make a tolerable 
breakfast. This is the way in which people live in this coun- 
try ; nothing better or more cleanly is to be procured for fare ; 
we all gathered round the pot of hot milk which was set on 
the ground, when also the roasted pompions were laid at our 
feet, all covered with black wood ashes ; for plates and spoons 
we had horns, halved and a little bent; for seats, the skulls of 
horses ; and for a table, the clay floor of the hut. There was 
no choice: we paid about sixpence each for our meal and set 
off again. After travelling till mid-day, the weather being hot 
and dry, we stopped for 2 hours at noon, turning the cattle 
out to feed and lying down ourselves to sleep, and pursued 
our way in the afternoon, the country being so open and level 
that we drove the mules before us almost at a gallop. The 
owner of these animals had left us in the morning, accom- 
panied by his servant, preferring another route to Tucuman, 
and I remained with the driver, that I might have the more 
time to botanize. At night we stopped at a posthouse called 
Vinora, 19 leagues from Tucuman, where we rested till the 
afternoon of the next day ; during which time I examined the 
productions of the neighbourhood. I saw some fine trees of 
the great fan palm, a. strange species of Cestrum, with very 
large yellow flowers, and a Solanum, apparently brownish, with 
white fruit of the size and appearance of hens’ eggs ; the latter 
was generally growing in open grass fields, where the plant, 
about 3 feet high, very thorny, and loaded with this singular 
looking fruit, was a striking object. Also a suffruticose Bud- 
dlea, which the natives call sage, and use as such. 

23rd. Quitting Vinora after mid-day, we reached in the 
evening a farm, where many goats were feeding and where we 
purchased a fine fat kid for about one shilling, and obtained 
permission to turn our horses and mules into an inclosure, 


176 Account of a Journey across the 


after which we kindled a good fire at the gate and roasted our 
kid for supper. We were accompanied for some time by a 
young couple on their way to be married at Tucuman, no 
clergyman living nearer to perform the ceremony, for which 
they had to travel 57 miles. However there was a saving of 
trouble in this case, as the double object was answered of 
getting their child baptized, a fine boy nearly 2 years old. 
24th. Started very early this morning, having been refresh- 
ed by a comfortable night’s rest, for we had slept by the side 
of our large wood fire, sheltered on the weather side by long 
clean grass waving above us. Our cattle too were recruited 
by the fine grass they had eaten during the night, and we 
took to the road in high spirits at the prospect of soon finish- 
ing our long and arduous journey, a hope which was realized 
about 4 in the afternoon, when we entered Tucuman. The 
2 last days’ journey was the most pleasing and interesting of 
all; the noble Andes lay on our left hand, thick fog covering 
part of their sides, above which their snowy summits soared 
bright and clear; often we approached within a few miles di- 
stance of the mountains. The vegetation too became more 
varied as we advanced into the warm and more humid cli- 
mate which Tucuman enjoys, so as to be quite interesting. 
Having reached the farm-house belonging to the owner of our 
carts, who had arrived only the day before, he welcomed us 
kindly to his dwelling : the first thing offered to a stranger here 
is a cigar, then matte; after which we visited his orangery, 
where I saw some trees of almost incredible magnitude and 
with equally icredibly enormous crops of fruit, whether con- 
sidered as to number, size, or quality. Some of these trees 
could not be less than 40 feet high, with tops high in pro- 
portion, the points of the lower branches resting on the ground; 
and the oranges of an uniformly large size, equally inter- 
spersed all over and among the whole trees. The beautiful 
hue of the fruit, which was generally ripe, added to the inter- 
esting appearance of these trees. He had no other garden, 
but noble fields of sugar cane and some rice grounds: a mill 
for cleaning the latter article was also on the farm. At night 
this kind person sent one of his servants to conduct us to the 
only coffee-house in the town of Tucuman, with orders to re- 


Pampas of Buenos Ayres to Tucuman. 177 


quest that the owner would treat me as a friend of his ; but no 
such recommendation was needful, for I found both the master 
and mistress of the house most worthy and agreeable people, 
as were indeed the mass of the population in this fine country, 
where the inhabitants are generally as friendly as their coun- 
try is pleasant. 

25th. Having arrived yesterday, I had the opportunity this 
morning, as I anticipated, of seeing what I supposed would 
be a grand military show, it being the anniversary of the free- 
dom of this country from the Spanish yoke, an event which 
is celebrated with rejoicings throughout the Argentine pro- 
vinees, especially at Tucuman, where independence was first 
proclaimed, and where a brick pillar still marks the exact 
spot of this proclamation. I consequently supposed that the 
military would sport their best uniforms on the occasion, and 
that something very grand should be exhibited: but at about 
8 in the morning 200 men assembled in the Gran Plaz of the 
town, these being the militia of the country, as there is now 
no standing army ; their uniform was rags, of all colours, how- 
ever, and most of them were bare-footed; the other had old 
shoes or torn slippers, with hats much like the fragments of 
bee-skeps, the crown being generally covered with coarse un- 
cut wool, undyed and in the state in which it comes from the 
sheep’s back. - Clothes they had none, but rough pouchos, 
loosely hanging over the body, a tattered dirty shirt beneath, 
but no jacket or trousers. They fired afew de joie and di- 
spersed. At night the town was illuminated with lumps of 
tallow, put into square thick pieces of Agave leaves, a hollow 
being made in them, and ‘filled with the grease. These chan- 
deliers were set on the window sills in place of lamps or lan- 
terns. (For a further description of Tucuman, with its fine 
scenery, &c. see the pamphlet of Alvardi published in 1834.) 


ee 


APPENDIX. 


Our return to Buenos Ayres was somewhat different from 
our former route, the course being first more southerly and 
then more to the north. Two miles after leaving Tucuman, 

Ann. Nat, Hist. Vol.4. No, 23. Nov. 1839. ) 


178 Account of a Journey across the Pampas. 


one of our carts having overset in a Bocacha pit, a day’s tra- 
velling was lost, and the next morning, when crossing the Rio 
de Tucuman, 5 miles only from the town, the ‘fracture of an 
axle caused a similar delay, Three days after we recrossed the 
same stream near Vinora, and it may be needful to remark 
that we had to pass over it at four different places, at all of 
which it bears different names. Thus, its first appellation is 
Rio de San Magill, this being the name of the ridge of the 
Cordilleras where it rises, and indeed the proper name of the 
town of Tucuman itself, which is situated close to that moun- 
tain pass. At San Jago the river is called the same: and 
again, at the village of Pitambola, the Rio de Pitambola, while 
further down the number of willows that clothe its banks give 
it the appellation of Rio Saucio, under which name it enters 
the Parafia near Santa Fé. Having crossed it at Vinora, we - 
entered upon a fine road, lately cleared by the government of 
San Jago, the-first and only benefit I ever heard of their ren- 
dering to the country. Immediately after leaving this forest 
we enter the town of San Jago, a most miserable place, nothing 
growing about it but some bare trees, on the branches of which 
the goats were browsing. Two miles after quitting it I ob- 
served a red cloud rising in the 8.W.; it was an immense flight 
of red locusts, which passing over us made the sun appear like 
blood. Next day the wind having shifted, these insects were 
driven again on our line of road, where they were mostly rest- 
ing on the tops of the trees, which looked as if studded with 
red blossoms. Nothing else worthy of notice occurred till we 
came to the Rio Secunda: when we were going to Tucuman 
this was a river 4 feet deep and nearly 200 yards wide, but 
now presented only a bed of drifting white sand. 

Near Cruz Alta we observed the smoking ruins of some 
Ranchos which the Indians had burnt the preceding day, and 
therefore took a more northerly direction to keep out of their 
way. 

Crossing Rio Carcaujfion, one of the shaft bullocks got loose; 
and the other having all the weight of the great cart and load 
thrown upon him, one of his horns with part of the skull was 
dashed in and the poor animal drowned. This was an un- 
lucky day, another bullock having suddenly dropped down 


Dr. R. Wight on the Laurus Cassia of Linneus. 179 


and died, and in lassoing one to fill the place of the latter, one 
of its legs was broken; so that three beasts were lost. 

On reaching Ponto Morgues, 21 miles from Buenos Ayres, 
I took a horse and left the Tropa, which did not get to town 
till 5 days after, so bad are the roads close to the great metro- 
polis of the Argentine Republic. I made my way home that 
very night that I left the carts, 7 months after setting out, and 
so much was I disfigured with the effects of weather and sun, 
to say nothing of dirty and tattered garments, that several of 
my old acquaintances did not know me. 

Thus I have given a detail of my pleasure trip across the 
vast plains of Buenos Ayres, a journey during which I may 
say that I have travelled on my own feet nearly 2000 miles, 
viz. from the Rio Segero on the N.E. to the foot of the Cor- 

« dillera on the N.W., and seen, said, and done many things, 
with which it would be superfluous and impertinent to trouble 
you. 


XVIII.—On the Laurus Cassia of Linneus, and the Plants 
producing the Cassia Bark of Commerce. By Rospert 
Wieut, M.D.* 


My attention was first directed to this subject by a commu- 
nication from Government, in which I am requested to en- 
deavour to ascertain “whether the common Cassia Bark of the 
_markets of the world is a thicker and coarser portion of the 
bark of the genuime cinnamon plant or tree, or whether it is 
the bark of a plant not analogous to the cinnamon plant or © 
tree.”’ | 
Before it was possible to return a satisfactory answer to this 
question, it seemed incumbent on me to ascertain what plant 
Linnzus meant to designate under the name of Laurus Cassia, 
and whether it was probable the plant so called could supply 
all the bark passing under that name in the markets of the 
world. This primary, but most difficult inquiry was rendered 
indispensable by the, generally supposed, ridiculous assertion 
of Mr. Marshall, that the leaves, and the bark of the trunk and 
branches of the Laurus Cassia of Linnzeus, so far from being 


* From the Madras Journal of Literature and Science, 1839. No. 22. 
0 2 


180 Dr. R. Wight on the Laurus Cassia 0f Linneus. 


aromatic and spicy like cinnamon, are bitter and have in a 
slight degree the taste and odour of myrrh. This assertion, 
wide as it may appear of the truth, is yet founded in fact, and 
what may appear still more extraordinary, has led to a disco- 
very, which, without such aid as he has given, would not pro- 
bably have soon been made by a professed botanist, a title to 
which I believe Mr. Marshall does not aspire. He appears 
to have been led to the discovery, that the Laurus Cassia of 
Linnzeus did not produce aromatic bark, simply through the 
native name, and wonders how it could have received from 
him the name of Cassia, and had qualities attributed to its 
bark which it does not in the slightest degree possess. I think 
I can now answer the question, and explain the mystery which 
has so long hung over this species, and been hitherto ren- 
dered only more obscure by each attempt to bring it to light. 

It is well known to modern botanists, that many of their 
earlier predecessors were but indifferent describers of plants, 
and often very loose in their quotations of figures as syno- 
nyms, a sin of which Linnzeus was often about as guilty as 
any of his cotemporaries. He seemed to have had an idea, 
that their figures were generally at best but approximations 
to the truth, and that ifa figure exhibited even a remote simi- 
larity to a plant before him, especially if from the same coun- 
try, he might with safety quote it as asynonym. Bearing this 
in mind, we can easily account for a number of errors to which 
his incorrect synonyms have given rise. The present instance 
_ affords an excellent example of what I have here stated, and 
one which, but for the discovery of Mr. Marshall, might have 
long remained undetected. 

In Herman’s herbarium of Ceylon plants, he (Linnzus) 
found one bearing the native names of “ Dawalkurundu, Ni- 
kadawala,” under which it is referred to, or described in Her- 
man’s ‘ Museum Zeylanicum.’ ‘This he considered a species 
of Laurus, apparently from habit alone, and in his usual brief 
precise style, calls it, “ Laurus foliis lanceolatis trinerviis, 
nervis supra basin unitis ;” having previously called the true 
cinnamon, “ Laurus foliis ovato-oblongis trinerviis basi nervos 
unientibus.” The difference between the two, as indicated by 
the names, seems very slight, merely depending on the one 


Dr. R. Wight on the Laurus Cassia of Linneus. 181 


having lanceolate leaves with the nerves united above the base; 
while in the other the leaves are said to be ovate-oblong with 
the nerves distinct to the base—differences small indeed, and 
such as could never be found of much avail in distinguishing 
the one plant from the other, since they are both constantly, 
met with in different leaves on the same tree. Such being the 
case, it is not much to be wondered at that botanists should 
have been surprised by the boldness of Mr. Marshall’s an- 
nouncement, that two trees, believed to be of the same ge- 
nus, and so nearly alike in their external forms, should yet 
differ so very widely in their properties. But so it is, and 
nothing can be more certain than that the fact is as he states 
it. 

In proceeding to trace the history of the two species, aided 
by the light Mr. Marshall has thrown on them, our difficulties 
vanish like mist before the noon-day sun, though Mr. Mar- 
shall himself has found it “ difficult to conceive how the Da- 
walkurundu obtained the appellation of Laurus Cassia from 
Linnzus.” It was because Linneus’s specimen of Dawalku- 
rundu was neither in flower nor in fruit. Had it been so, he 
was too acute an observer ever to have confounded it with the 
plants with which he has associated it in his synonyms. This 
explanation, it may be answered, is mere assumption on my 
part—it certainly is so, but supported by so strong circum- 
stantial evidence, as not to leave a doubt of its correctness. 
Linneus has in his ‘ Flora Zeylanica’ given a short descrip- 
tion of each of these species: his description of the cinnamon 
is principally confined to the flower, and is most precise. In 
his description of the other, the flower is not once alluded to. 
Here he declares, that he knows not by what mark to distin- 
guish it from the ‘ camphorifera Japonensium, which in its 
foliage it greatly resembles, but nothing can be more distinct 
than its inflorescence; that of the camphor tree being a pa- 
nicle, having a stalk as long as the leaves ; while in Dawalku- 
rundu it may be described as a subsessile capitulum, that is, 
5 or 6 sessile flowers congested on the apex of a very short 
peduncle, and surrounded by an involucrum of 4 or 5 leaves ; 
several of which capitula usually form verticels round the 
naked parts of the branches where the leaves have fallen. He 


182 Dr. R. Wight on the Laurus Cassia of Linneus. 


begins his description of Lawrus Cassia* by stating that he 
at first considcred it a variety of the antecedent (cinnamon) ; 
but now that he knows not by what mark to distinguish it from 
‘camphorifera Japonensium,’ for the leaves are thinner than 
those of cinnamon, the nerves uniting above the base as in 
camphorifera, and are sprinkled beneath with a greyish dew 
(subtus rore cesio illinita) as in the camphor tree, and are at 
the same time lanceolate and of a thinner texture than the pre- 
ceding (cinnamon). The whole of his description in short 
agrees most exactly with Mr. Marshall’s description of the 
Cingalese Dawalkurundu, and leaves not a doubt that both 
had the same plant in view, and consequently that Mr. Mar- 
shall is so far correct in saying that the bark of the Laurus 
Cassia of Linnzus possessed none of the qualities attributed 
to it. So far all is clear ; but now the chapter of errors begins. 

Had Linnzus been permitted to exercise his own unbiassed 
judgement in this case, it is not improbable he would have 
avoided the error of assigning to a plant which, with all his 
acuteness, he knew not how to distinguish from the camphor 
tree, the credit of producing Cassia, or at all events would not 
have done so without some expression of doubt, so as still to 
leave the question an open one. But, upon consulting other 
authorities, he found in Burman’s ‘ Thesaurus Zeylanicus’ the 
figure of a species of Cinnamomum or Laurus as he called the 
genus, to which Burman had given the name of Cinnamomum 
perpetuo florens, &c. and assigned the native name of Dawal- 
kurundu, not as it appears from the specimen itself having 
been so named, but because being different from the true cin- 
namon of which he had seen specimens and figures, he thought 
it an inferior, wild or jungle sort, which must of necessity be 
the plant that Herman had described in his ‘ Museum Zey- 
lanicum,’ though the inflorescence differed much from the 
description, (a very essential point, which Burman remarked 
and endeavours to explain away,) and therefore gave it the 


* «“Ffanc speciem olim pro antecedentis varietate habui, nunc vero, qua 
nota hance a camphorifera Japonensium distinguam, non novi; Folia enim 
Cinnamomo tenuiora, nervis ante basin coeuntibus ut in camphorifera; sub- 
tus rore cesio illinita, ut Camphora, et simul lanceolata ac tenuiori substantia 
quam precedentis.”"— Linn. Flor. Zeylanica, p. 62. 


Dr. R. Wight on the Laurus Cassia of Linneus. 183 


same Cingalese name. Linnzeus’s specimen not being in flower, 
and the resemblance between the specimen and figure being 
in other respects considerable, he had not the means of detect- 
ing the discrepancy, and unsuspectingly adopted Burman’s 
figure and name as a synonym to his plant. In Rheede’s 
‘ Hortus Malabaricus,’ (1 tab. 57) he found the figure of an- 
other cinnamon, even more closely resembling his plant in its 
general aspect than Burman’s figure: this he also associated 
as a synonym; and Rheede’s plant being lauded on account of ° 
the aromatic properties of its bark and leaves, which resem- 
ble the true cinnamon, though it is not the genuine cinnamon 
tree, he seems to have considered himself quite safe in asso- 
ciating this also, and called the three species, this tria juncto 
in uno plant, Laurus Cassia, and assigned it as the source of 
the officinal “ Cassia Lignea cortex.” 

After this exposition of the origin of the species Laurus 
Cassia, it can scarcely be a matter of surprise that no two bo- 
tanists have ever agreed as to the plant which ought to bear 
the name; nor, that not one of them should ever have sur- 
mised what plant Linnzus had constituted the type of his 
species. It is not my intention on the present occasion to 
extend these remarks, by tracing the various conjectures that 
have been promulgated on the subject ;. suffice it to say that 
no one, so far as I am aware, has taken a similar view as that 
now explained. It only further remains for me to give some ° 
account of the three species thus erroneously associated. 

The first mentioned, Dawalkurundu, Linnzeus’s own plant 
and the type of the species, is, I believe, the Laurus involu- 
crata of Vahl, and of Lamarck in the ‘ Encyclopédie Méthodi- 
que,’ and has in Professor Nees’s Monograph of the Indian 
Laurine (Wall. Plant. As. rariores), received the name of Te- 
tradenia Zeylanica, but is the Litsea Zeylanica of ‘a former 
work of his, a name which I presume must be restored, owing 
to the other being preoccupied. The slight difference of struc- 
ture does not seem to render a new genus necessary. 

The second and third have both been referred, by the same 
eminent botanist, to his variety of the true cinnamon, the Cin- 
namomum Zeylanicum, a decision to which I cannot subscribe, 
as I cannot perceive that either of these figures are referable 


184 Dr. R. Wight on the Laurus Cassia of Linneus. 


to any form of that species, and they besides differ specifically 
from each other. 

The Cinnamomum perpetuo florens appears to me a perfectly 
distinct species, very nearly allied to, if not actually identical 
with, Nees’s own species C. sulphuratum, of which I have now 
got specimens from Ceylon. This I infer from the appearance 
of the plant as represented in the figure, for if any dependence 
is to be placed on the description, it is impossible to admit it 
‘ into the genus. On this however, I do not feel disposed to 
place much reliance, as it was not the practice a century ago, 
when the description was written, to examine the structure of 
flowers with the same care that is now bestowed. Should it 
be objected, that the species I quote as the C. perpetuo florens 
is clothed with yellowish pubescence, which is not mentioned 
by Burman, then I have another from the same country (Cey- 
lon) perfectly glabrous, agreeing in the form of its leaves, but 
differing in having more numerous and smaller flowers, which 
may be substituted, and that I do not think, more than the 
other, a variety of the genuine cinnamon tree. 

The Malabar plant Carwa (Hort. Mal. 1. tab. 57), on the 
other hand, I consider a very passable figure of a plant, in my 
herbarium named, by Nees himself, Cinnamomum iners ; but, 
whether or not I am right in the species to which I have re- 
ferred it, I can have no hesitation in giving it as my opinion 
* that it is not referable to any form of the C. Zeylanicum ; 
neither can I agree with him in thinking the plant figured 
under the name of Laurus Cassia in the ‘ Botanical Maga- 
zine,’ No. 1636, is referable to the Ceylon species, but is I 
think very like the Malabar one, the only species of the genus 
to which the name Cassia should be applied, if that name is 
still to be retained in botanical nomenclature, as being the 
only one of the three associated species known to produce that 
drug. To another plate of the ‘Botanical Magazine’ (Laurus. 
Cinnamomum, No. 2028) I also refer here, and feel greatly at a 
loss to account for its introduction into that work under a dif- 
ferent name from the preceding. Theplant which Nees formerly 
considered the Laurus Cassia, but now calls Cinnamomum 
aromaticum, from China, is a very nearly allied species, but 
is distinct, and furnishes much of the bark sold in the Euro- 


Dr. R. Wight on the Laurus Cassia of Linneus. 185 


pean markets under the name of Cassia, though it has nothing 
whatever to do with the Laurus Cassia of Linnzus, which, 
from the preceding history appears strictly confined to Ceylon 
and India proper, and that name, not being referable to any 
one species, ought unquestionably to be expunged from bota- 
nical nomenclature, its longer continuance there only tending 
to create confusion and uncertainty. This brings me to the 
next question—namely, what plant or plants yield the Cassia 
bark of commerce ? 

The foregoing explanation, in the course of which two 
plants are referred to as yielding Cassia, greatly simplifies the 
answer to this one. The first of these is the Malabar Carua 
figured by Rheede, the second Nees’s Cinnamomum aromati- 
cum. The list, however, of Cassia-producing plants is not li- 
mited to these two, but I firmly believe extends to nearly every 
species of the genus. A set of specimens, submitted for my 
examination, of the trees furnishing Cassia on the Malabar 
Coast, presented no fewer than four distinct species; inclu- 
ding among them the genuine cinnamon plant, the bark of the 
older branches of which, it would appear, is exported from that 
coast as Cassia. Three or four more species are natives of 
Ceylon, exclusive of the cinnamon proper, all of which greatly 
resemble the cinnamon plant, and in the woods might easily 
be mistaken for it and peeled, though the produce might be 
inferior. Thus we have from Western India and Ceylon alone, © 
‘probably not less than six plants producing Cassia; add to 
these nearly twice as many more species of Cinnamomum, the 
produce of the more Eastern States of Asia and the Islands of 
the Eastern Archipelago, all remarkable for their striking fa- 
mily likeness, all I believe endowed with aromatic properties, 
and probably the greater part if not the whole contributing 
something towards the general result, and we at once see the 
impossibility of awarding to any one individual species the 
credit of being the source whence the Cassia lignea of com- 
merce is derived ; and equally the impropriety of applying to 
any one of them the comprehensive specific appellation of 
Cassia, since all sorts of cinnamon-like plants, yielding bark 
of a quality unfit to bear the designation of cinnamon in the 
market, are passed off as Cassia. | 


186 Mr. C. Lyell on the discovery of Fossil Teeth 


XIX.—On the discovery of Fossil Teeth of a Leopard, Bear, 
and other animals in a Crag Pit at Newbourn in Suffolk. 
By Cuarues Lye 1, Esq., F.R.S., V.P.G.S., &c. 


Durine a late tour in Suffolk (June 1839,) Mr. Wm. Col- 
chester of Ipswich pointed out to me in his collection of fossil 
teeth from-the Red Crag of Newbourn near Woodbridge, one 
tooth which differed greatly from the rest, and which we, both 
of us, suspected to belong to a carnivorous mammifer. 

On submitting the tooth to the inspection of Mr. Owen of 
the College of Surgeons, he found on comparison that it agreed 
precisely in size and shape with the posterior grinder of | 
lower jaw (left side) of the Leopard, Felis leopardus, Linn. 
“This tooth,” says Mr. Owen, “ is so exactly similar in size 
and shape to the corresponding tooth in the Leopard, that 
even its specific identity could not be denied. At the same 
time the dental formula of the genus Felis maintains so close | 
a correspondence in everything but size throughout the known 
species, that the identity of the fossil with any existing spe- 
cies could not be affirmed on the evidence of a tooth alone. 
The characteristic fragment from Newbourn affords however 
decisive evidence that a feline animal as large as a Leopard 
existed at the geological epoch indicated by the formation in 
which it was found.” 

The molar in question is imperfect ; the crown and upper 
portion, so far as the enamel Fig. 1. 
extends, is well preserved, but 
the base has lost the fangs, 
and has the appearance of 
having been worn and polish- — 
ed after the fangs had been . Posterior molar (left side) of Leopard. 


a. View of tooth from the inside. 
broken short off. The two b. View of the same from the outside. 


cusps on the crown still retain their points. (See fig. 1.) 

This fossil resembles in colour that of many of the accom- 
panying teeth of fishes, most of which belong to different spe- 
cies of the shark family, with which the palatal bones of the 
Myliobates, a kind of Skate, are intermixed. It is deserving 
of ‘remark that in a great portion of the shark’s teeth the softer 
or bony portion at the base has been worn away more or less 


of a Leopard, Bear, and other Animals. 187 


entirely as if by attrition, while the upper part, or that co- 
vered by enamel, has suffered but slightly. In a word they 
seem to have been subjected to the same mechanical action 
as the tooth of the Leopard. 

Newbourn is a village on the west side of the estuary of 
the Deben, and about six miles S.W. from Woodbridge. In 
the large pit of red crag at the northern extremity of the vil- 
lage (Mr. Wolton’s pit) the crag presents its ordinary cha- 
racter of a purely marine deposit, containing the usual shells, 
in great part comminuted. But the horizontal strata are tra- 
versed to the depth of about thirty feet by numerous fissures, 
which are from a few inches to a foot or more in width, and 
are filled principally with the detritus of red crag in which 
numerous fragments of shells are still preserved. Some of 
these rents terminate downwards, coming to a point, with no 
signs of fracture below. As at present our information sim- 
ply extends to the fact that the Leopard’s tooth was picked 
up together with those of fishes in this pit, it might be sug- 
gested that the mammalian relic was possibly derived from the 
contents of one of the fissures, the filling of which was an 
event certainly posterior and perhaps long subsequent to the 
era of the deposition of the crag. 

It is well known that teeth of the cave hyzena were found 
near Maidstone, in Kent, in a rent traversing the limestone’ 
called Kentish Rag, and it was not till many years afterwards 
that any other teeth or bones of quadrupeds were discovered 
in the superficial deposits of the same district. 

Mr. Searles Wood, to whom I communicated the result of 
Mr. Owen’s examination of the Newbourn fossil, lost no time 
in carefully examining a large collection of fossil teeth from 
Newbourn, belonging to the Rev. Edward Moore, of Bealings, 
near Woodbridge. They belong chiefly to the fishes usually 
found in the Red Crag, but Mr. Wood selected from among 
them some which he supposed to be mammalian. Mr. Owen, 
after an attentive comparison of these, has been able to refer 
them to a Bear, Hog, and a large Ruminant of the size of the 
red deer. : 

The following are the notes on these specimens with which 
I have been favoured by Mr. Owen :— 


188 Mr. Lyell on Fossil Teeth in the Suffolk Crag. 


“1. Bear.—The crown of the tooth of a species of Ursus. 
It is the antepenultimate molar, right side, upper jaw. The fos- 
sil indicates a species about the size of the common European 
bear, but not identical with that or any other existing species. 
It is smaller than the two large species of bear from the Ger- 
man bone caverns. I have not the means of comparing it 
with the smaller extinct species described by Goldfuss. 

“© 2, Hog.—The external incisor of a young Hog: the tooth 

Fig. 2. 


Fossil. 


: Incisor of Hog. 
aa. View of tooth from the inside. 6b. View of tooth from the outside. ’ 


belongs to the lower jaw, right side, and very closely resem- 
bles the corresponding tooth of a young wild boar. (See fig. 2.) 

“3, Ruminant.—Fragments of a fractured molar of a Ru- 
minant as large as the red-deer.” 

The fossil teeth above described, like the tooth of the leo- 
pard, are all of them more or less broken and worn. We 
know not whether they were procured from the fissures or 
the regular strata of the large Newbourn pit, but I confess’ 
that, judging from their appearance, I incline to the opinion 
that they are all of the age of the red crag. ‘They seem to have 
undergone precisely the same process of trituration, and to have 
been impregnated with the same colouring matter, as some of 
the associated bones and teeth of fishes which we know to have 
been derived from the regular strata of red crag. Had these - 
mammalian remains been simply washed into fissures formed 
subsequently, we might have expected them to be in a differ- 
ent state from the crag fossils. It is true that in the forma- 
tion last mentioned, throughout its range in the counties of 
Suffolk and Essex, no vestige of a terrestrial quadruped had 
previously been met with; but I may remind the reader that 
Mr. Wood found in the red crag of Butley, about seven miles 
north-east of Newbourn, a single ‘specimen of a freshwater 


Mr. Lyell on Fossil Mammalia from the Suffolk Crag. 189 


shell, a variety of the Planorbis marginatus, and in the red 
crag of other places three individuals of an estuary species, 
Auricula myosotis. The same river which conveyed these 
shells, but especially the Planorbis, into the open sea, may also 
have carried down the carcasses or bones of land animals. 


X X.—On the occurrence of Fossil Quadrumanous, Marsupial, 
and other Mammalia in the London Clay, near Woodbridge, 
in Suffolk. By Coarxes LYELL, Esq., F.R.S., V.P.G.S., &e. 


In the summer of 1838 I was informed by Mr. Wm. Col- 
chester of Ipswich, that he had obtained in the spring of the 
preceding year, from Kyson (or Kingston), near Woodbridge, 
in Suffolk, a tooth which he supposed to belong to a mam- 
miferous quadruped, and that it was derived from a bed of 
sand which he conceived to belong to the London clay forma- 
tion. In the following year, after having seen the tooth in 
question and recognized it as decidedly mammiferous, I re- 
quested him to take me to the spot, which is situated near the 
village of Martlesham, on the borders of the estuary of the 
Deben, about 14 mile from Woodbridge, and at the distance 
of about 6 miles from the village of Newbourn mentioned in 
the preceding notice. I found the deposit at Kyson to con- 
sist of brown clay laid open to the depth of 12 feet, and be- 
low this sand in layers, yellow and white, which has been 
pierced to the depth of 12 feet without-reaching the bottom. 
The clay and sand here are dug for making bricks; in the up- 
permost bed of this sand, precisely at the point where it is 
in contact with the overlying clay, I found numerous teeth of 
fishes of the Shark family, similar to others which Mr. Col- 
chester had previously met with associated with the mamma- 
lian tooth. 

As the clay at Kyson is covered by red crag at a short di- . 
stance from the pits, and as I had seen clay of the same co- 
lour beneath the crag in the neighbouring cliffs of Bawdsey, 
and also at Felixstow and Harwich, containing Septaria, and 
as at Harwich the imbedded shells, fruits, and bones of Turtle, 
are such as characterize the London clay, I entertained no 
doubt that the Kyson formation belonged to the Eocene period. 


190 Mr. Lyell on Fossil Mammalia. 


On showing the fossil tooth to Mr. Owen, he at once af- 
firmed that it was the grinder of some one of the mixed feed- 
ers, rather than either a purely carnivorous or herbivorous 
quadruped. His first comparison led him to suppose that it 
was one of the molars of the lower jaw of an Opossum, about 
the size of the Didelphys virginiana of North America, to 
which it in fact bears so great an affinity that it is only di- 
stinguishable when we observe with care the more quadran- 
gular form of the molars of the quadrumanes as contrasted 
with those of the Opossums, in which the anterior and ex- 
ternal angle of the grinder is cut off as it were vertically. 

When subsequently Mr. Owen instituted a more minute 
and extensive comparison, with a view of giving an anatomical 
description of the tooth above-mentioned, he discovered clearly 
that it was not a Didelphys, but the molar of a Monkey of the 
genus Macacus, thus constituting at once the first terrestrial 
mammifer which had been found in the London clay, and the 
first quadrumanous animal hitherto discovered in any country 
in tertiary strata as old as the Eocene period. 

Soon after my visit to Kyson, Mr. Searles Wood, having 
learnt from me that Mr. Owen had determined the tooth above- 
mentioned to be mammiferous, visited the spot, and prevailed 
on Mr. Colchester to search in the sand previously thrown 
aside from the bed containing the numerous teeth of fish. 
The result of his examination was the discovery of a lower 
jaw, referred by Mr. Owen to the genus Macacus, containing 
one molar tooth and the alveolus of another*, 

Pursuing his researches Mr. Colchester afterwards met wits 
another jaw, which is figured in the subjoined notice (see figs. 
2 a, 2b, 2c, pp. 192, 193), which Mr. Charlesworth has since 
described as the jaw of an Opossum, a genus to which it will 
be seen that Mr. Owen also considers it to be in all probability 
allied. Lastly, in September, 1839, two grinders referred by 
Mr. Owen to insectivorous bats were also obtained by Mr. Col- 
chester from the same pit at Kyson. (See fig. 3. p. 194.) 


* See papers by Messrs. Wood and Owen, Mag. of Nat. Hist., Sept. 1839. 
+ Ibid. p. 450. 


Mr. Owen on Mammalian Remains. 191 


XX1.—Description of the Mammalian Remains found at Kyson 
in Suffolk, mentioned in the preceding Notice. By RicHARD 
Owen, Esgq., F.R.S., &c. 


1. Molar of a Macacus. (Fig. 1.) 


Tus tooth was one of the first of the mammiferous remains 
from the London clay formation at Kyson which was sub- 
mitted to my examination by Mr. Lyell, and the one which 
. after a cursory comparison I observed to present a consider- 
able resemblance with the molar of an opossum. I should not 
however have presumed to have published a statement of its 
affinity to, much less its identity with, the genus Didelphys, 
without testing the fossil by a more extended and rigorous 
comparison. 

This I have lately undertaken with a view to the present 
communication, and the result has been to identify the tooth 
as a second molar, left side, lower jaw of a Macacus (the tooth 
which corresponds with the second ‘ bicuspis’ in Human Ana- 
tomy.) (See fig. 1.) The crown pre- Fig. 1. 
sents four tubercles, arranged in two 
transverse pairs, the anterior pair be- CR 
ing the most distinctly developed, and a b 
rising the highest (fig. a.) ; there is also a very small ridge or 
rudimental talon at the anterior and another at the posterior 
side of the crown; the latter is placed between and connects 
together the two posterior tubercles. The fangs are two, 
strong and divergent; the anterior one has been broken off. 
The grinding surface of the tooth presents two depressions, 
a small one in front of the anterior pair of tubercles, and a 
larger one between the two pairs of tubercles. (Fig. 1, 0.) 
The tooth has evidently belonged to an old individual, for the 
tubercles are worn and the posterior concavity is smoothed 
and deepened by attrition. It differs from the corresponding 
tooth of a recent Macacus of the same size in having a slight 
ridge along the base of the anterior part of the crown, and in 
being a little narrower from side to side, and the same cha- 
racters distinguish the posterior molar of the fossil Macacus 
described by me in the September number of the ‘ Magazine 
of Natural History’ (1839). As, moreover, the present fossil 


192 Mr. Owen on the Mammalian Remains, 


molar bears exactly the same proportion tothe above-mentioned 
fossil posterior molar, which obtains in the corresponding 
teeth of the recent Macaci, I have no doubt that the two fossil 
teeth belong to the same extinct species of Macacus. 

The inferior molars in the genus Didelphys differ from the 
tooth in question in having the anterior and external angle cut 
off as it were vertically. 


2. A portion of Jaw with one of the False Molars of a Mam- 
miferous Species, probably allied to the Genus Didelphys. 
(Fig. 2.) 


There is no tooth so little characteristic, or upon which a 
determination of the genus could be less safely founded, than 
one of the false molars of the smaller carnivorous and omnivo- 
rous Fere and Marsupialia. <A large, laterally compressed, 
sharp-pointed middle cone or cusp, with a small posterior, and. 
sometimes also a small anterior talon, more or less distinctly 
developed, is the form common to these teeth in many genera 
of the above orders. It is on this account, and because the 
tooth of the fossil in question (fig. 2a.) dif- Fig. 2a. 
fers in the shape of the middle and size of 
the accessory cusps from that of any known 
species of Didelphys, that I regard its refer- 
ence to that genus as premature, and the affi- 
nities of the species to which it belongs as Outside, nat. size. 
awaiting further evidence before they can be determined be- 
yond the reach of doubt. Mr. Charlesworth, by whom the 
present fossil was first described and figured*, has accurately 
specified the differences above alluded to in the shape of the 
crown of the tooth as compared with the false molars of the 
true Opossums: they are seen in the more equilateral or sym- 
metrical shape of the middle cusp, the greater development of 
the posterior talon, and the presence of the anterior talon at 
the base of the middle cusp: the grounds on which his de- 
termination of the fossil was founded are not stated. 

I agree, however, with Mr. Charlesworth, so far as to con- 
sider the fossil in question as bearing so close a resemblance 


* Mag. of Nat. Hist., September 183¥. 


Found at Kyson in Suffolk. 193 


to the corresponding part of the Opossums as to warrant the 
expectation that subsequent discoveries may prove the differ- 
ences above-mentioned to be merely specific. The crown of 
the spurious molars of the placental Feree which present the 
same general form as the fossil, are thicker from side to side 
in proportion to their breadth; the spurious molars of the 
Dasyurus Thylacinus and Phascogale differ in like manner 
from the fossil. It is in the marsupial genera Didelphys and 
Perameles that the false molars present the same laterally 
compressed shape as in the fossil. Now besides the rig.2,s. 
perfect tooth, the fossil includes the empty sockets of 4 
two other teeth (fig. 2, 6); and the relative position of 
these sockets places the Perameles out of the pale of 
comparison. On the hypothesis that the present 
fossil represents a species of Didelphys, the tooth in Nat. size. 
situ unquestionably corresponds with the second or middle 
false molar, right side, lower jaw. This is proved by the size 
and position of the anterior alveolus. Had the tooth in situ 
been the one immediately preceding the true molars, the 
socket anterior to it should have been at least of equal size, 
and in juxta-position with the one containing the tooth. The 
anterior socket, however, is little more than half the size of 
the one in which the tooth is lodged: it is also separated from 
that socket by an interspace equal to that Fig. 2, ¢. 
which separates the first from the second false 
molar in the Didelphys Virginiana. This is 
well shown in the inside view (fig. 2, c.). In the 
placental mammalia, in which the first small 
false molar is similarly separated by a dia- Inside. Nat. size. 
stema from the second, the first false molar has only a single 
fang. In the present fossil the empty socket of the first false 
molar proves that that tooth had two fangs as in the marsupial 
Fere and Insectivora. There is nothing in the size or form of 
the socket posterior to the implanted tooth of the fossil to 
forbid the supposition that it contained a spurious molar re- 
sembling the one in place; had it been the socket of a true 
molar, as Mr. Charlesworth conjectures, then the fossil could 
not have belonged to Didelphys or to any other known marsupial 
genus, because no known marsupial animal which presents the 
Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.4. No.23. Nov. 1839. P 


194 Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 


posterior false molar of a similar form and in like juxta-posi- 
tion with the true molars, as the tooth in the present fossil, 
(on the supposition that it immediately preceded the true 
molars) has the next false molar so smallas it must have been 
in the fossil on that supposition. 


3. Two molars of a small Mammal most nearly resembling 
One of these small grinders (fig. 3, a) has its crown com- 
posed of four triangular prisms, placed in two transverse rows, 
wards, the summits being sharp-pointed. The exterior prisms 
are the largest. The crown swells out Fig.3. bs 
them, as it were, by an overhanging i 
ridge. There is a small transverse emi- 
the crown; and a very small tubercle is placed between the 
bases of the two external prisms. 
having the two posterior prisms suppressed, and replaced by a 
flattened triangular surface. ‘The anterior prisms are present, 
face. There is a small ridge at the anterior part of the tooth. 
These teeth agree more nearly with the antepenultimate 
other teeth with which I have as yet compared them: they 
differ chiefly in the presence of the small tubercle at the basal 


those of the Insectivorous Bats. (Fig. 3.) 
with an angle turned outwards and a side or flat surface in- 
a 
abruptly above the fangs, defending 
nence or talon at the anterior. part of Twice nat, size. 

The second molar (fig. 3, 5) differs from the preceding in 
and their apices project far beyond the level of the posterior sur- 
and last molars of the larger Insectivorous Bats than with any 
interspace of the exterior prisms. 


XXII.—Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 

Mr. Schomburgk’s recent Expedition in Guiana. 
Iw our first volume, p. 68, we communicated the accounts which 
we had received from Mr. Schomburgk up to the autumn of 1837, 
informing us of his intention to prosecute his researches to the east- 
ward and towards the sources of the Orinoko. We shall now have 
the satisfaction, from his arrival in this country, to present our readers, 
in the present and subsequent Numbers, with the narrative of his 
proceedings up to the time of his return to Georgetown, the capital 
of British Guiana. 


Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 195 


_ The great object of the expedition determined upon during the 
favourable season of 1838~—39 was to connect my researches with 
those of the celebrated Humboldt at Esmeralda, on the Upper Ori- 
noco. This was a task not without its dangers, but such that, should 
I be able to reach my aim, the success would prove its own reward, 
and another chasm in the geography of South America would be 
filled up. I succeeded, and reached Esmeralda from the east on Fe- 
bruary 22d, 1839, after a period of nearly five months from the 
time of our departure from the Brazilian boundary Fort San Joaquim, 
and after enduring the greatest hardships and deprivations. But while 
the details and geographical discoveries made during this expedition, 
will doubtless appear in the Journal of the Royal Geographical So- 
ciety, under whose auspices I travelled, I may here give a general 
view of the natural productions which distinguished the regions over 
which our steps, and canoes carried us. 

San Joaquim do Rio Branco is situated at the junction of the river 
Takutu with the river Parima of the natives, or Branco of the Portu- 
guese. We may almost consider it, as being situated in the middle 
of those extensive savannahs, bounded by the Carawaimi, Canucu, 
Pacaraima, and Parima mountains, no doubt once the basin, and the 
origin of the tradition of that mysterious lake which figured for cen- 
turies on our maps, and which even the extensive geographical re- 
searches of a Humboldt, and his proofs of its present non-existence, 
have not been able to erase entirely from some recent maps. 

These savannahs are covered with Gramineae, and Cyperacee, 
chiefly of the tribes Panisee, Chloridee, Agrostidee, interspersed 
with the genera Cyperus, Carex, Scirpus, &c. And while the former 
afford food to numerous herds of cattle, the sedges give the appear- 
ance of herbage to regions which otherwise would appear waste, and 
barren. The savannahs consist of undulating ground ; this is just 
as we might expect, admitting the opinion, that they formed once 
the bed of a vast inland lake. Many parts are marshy; even the 
lower declivities of those gradually rising hills, exhibit frequently a 
greater moisture than the parched appearance of the environs would 
warrant, and to the explanation of which the severe dews, the cha- 
racteristic meteorological phenomenon under the tropics, and the 
mechanical process of percolation, give a clue. These moist places 
are distinguished by a livelier vegetation, consisting chiefly of spe- 
cies of the genera Utricularia, Eriocaulon, Xyris, Pontederia, Drosera, 
Marica, &c., high above which the majestic Mauritia flecuosa towers 
its fan-shaped leaves, and gives that peculiar aspect to the landscape, 
which stamps it at once with undeniable features as tropical. Accord- 

Pp 2 


196 Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 


ing as the moisture is more or less prevailing, or the thin stratum 
of mould is mixed with sand, we may trace individuals of the ge- 
nera Crotolaria*, Lisianthus, Coutoubea, Hibiscus, Shultesia, Zornia, 
Stylosanthes, Elephantopus, Mimosa, Eupatorium, Latreillea, Unaia, 
Wulffia, Centrosema, Phaseolus, Indigofera, Tephrosia, Porophyllum, 
Hyptis, Gerardia, Lippia, Cryptocalyxt, Camara, Aegiphila, Amaso- 
nia, Irlbachia, Bacopa, Buchnera, Beyrichia, &c. A few stunted trees 
of the Curatella americana, the rough leaves of which are so useful 
to the Indian for polishing his arrows and war clubs; some Mai- 
pighie, the bark of which the Brazilians use for tanning, are di- 
spersed over the savannahs, and in consequence of their almost equal 
size, do not contribute to lessen the monotonous aspect of these plains 
—nor do they afford shade to the weary traveller, as their inconsider- 
able size and thinly scattered foliage, does not lessen the effects of 
the solar rays upon him, who should seek shelter under their branches. 
Coppices of weod rise sometimes like oases out of these savannahs. 
and are marked by trees of considerable size. On approaching such 
a desirable refuge from the heat of the sun, the transition from the 
vegetation of the savannah to that of the forest, is highly remark- 
able. The solitary trees of the Curatella hecome more numerous ; 
they are interspersed with arborescent shrubs, chiefly belonging to 
the natural orders of Rubiacee and Composite, and it appears still 
undecided, whether forest or savannah is to have the predominance. 
We approach the wood, girt by species of the genera Helicteris, Mi- 
mosa, Bauhinia, Apeiba, Solanum, &c., satisfied with but little nou- 
rishment, and inured to the full action of the sun. In their vicinity 
we may observe the Agave, and several erect and angular Cacti, some 
of the latter in form of huge Candelabras, or overtopping in height 
the surrounding trees{, perhaps adorned with flowers remarkable for 
their beauty,—alas ! of short duration—or inviting by their purple- 
coloured fruits. Divers species of Inga, several Cassiee, Combretacee, 
Lecythidee, and Myrtacee, distinguish the interior of the small forest, 
which is seldom more than two miles in circumference. Occasionally 
tracts of huge blocks of syenite traverse the savannahs, or shelves 
of granite just rise above the earth, and extend to a considerable 

* For a detailed account of the plants collected during my expeditions in 
the interior of Guiana, see Enumeration of plants collected by Mr. Schom- 
burgk in British Guiana, by George Bentham, Esq., Annals of Natural Hi- 
story, Numbers VIII. XII. XIX.and XX. Mr. Bentham’s kind intentions 
are to continue their systematic description in future numbers, while divers 
sets of these plants, of about 900 species each, remain to be disposed of. 

+ Annals of Natural History, No. XII. p. 446. 


t I have observed in the vicinity of Pirara in one of these coppices a Ce- 
reus, the height of which I estimated at from 50 to 60 feet. 


Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 197 


breadth and length. They possess their own Flora; Rhewie and 
Melastome, form perhaps the striking feature, as their large and 
purple flowers are discerned at a great distance amid these verdant 
isles; but on approaching many plants of that interesting tribe the 
Orchidee may be discovered, where one would have thought it im- 
possible that they could derive nourishment. The most common on 
these piles of syenite, or on the Jess elevated rocky shelves, are Cyr- 
topodium ( Andersonii), two new species of Epidendrum, Schomburgkia 
marginata and crispa, chiefly the former species. It was in a similar 
situation, where I found a Melocactus, the first which I discovered in 
Guiana; Huphorbie, Peperomie ; and if water gush from these rocks, 
Gesnerie, Tillandsie, Bromelie, &c. are very common. Many of 
these plains are bathed by rills of limpid water, lined by Mauritia 
palms, and their banks adorned by Rhevie Hibiscus, Oenothere, Jus- 
siee and a Phaseolus with large yellow flowers. Heliconie, se- 
veral individuals of Cannee, and among them a gigantic Thalia, are 
to be found at the decided marshy situations. Before we leave 
however, the vegetable productions of the savannahs, I have yet to 
mention three species of Cyrtopodium, which appear to be unde- 
scribed. They are terrestrial, and the most common among them 
recommends itself by its fragrance, and the long period which it re- 
mains in flower. ‘The second species has a panicled scape with nu- 
merous yellow flowers, spotted with brown, and the third appears 
merely a variety of the former, from which it differs only in the 
darker colouring of its flowers. The Indians when travelling over 
the savannahs are in the practice of setting the grass on fire, and if 
the weather has been dry, the conflagration spreads to a great ex- 
tent, and not only the grass, but likewise the foliage of the trees 
which cover the savannahs, is destroyed by the fiery element; our 
Cyrtopodia survive however the ordeal, and it appears as if they 
wanted an impetus to call forth their florescence. If rain follows the 
conflagration, the raceme soon after makes its appearance from below 
the pseudo-bulb, and is in full blossom before the plant pushes forth 
a leaf. ‘The pseudo-bulbs, having been injured by the fire, perish ; 
and if I except a few instances, I have not seen during my repeated 
travels over the savannahs many bulbs which bore leaves on their 
apex, or plants which possessed leaves, and blossoms at the same 
time. The fragrance of the Cyrtopodium, or Paulista, as it is called 
by the Brazilians, reminds me of another plant, which with regard to 
its odour might vie with the former. It is a Neurocarpum, and 
its beautiful coerulean flowers, with yellowish disc, sometimes an 
inch and a half to two inches long, and which appear generally in 
pairs, diffuse a fragrance which resembles that of our carnation. 


198 = Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 


T have already alluded to the circumstance that wild cattle are 
dispersed over those savannahs with a general outline of the vegeta- 
ble production of which, we have just become acquainted. Two pri- 
vate individuals, towards the end of the last century, founded cattle- 
farms in the vicinity of Fort San Joaquim ; and having involved them- 
selves, the Government made pecuniary advances which they could 
not return, and their property fell ultimately in the hands of Govern- 
ment. Many of the cattle have since strayed, and have been re- 
claimed by nature, roaming in their wild state over the savannahs, 
and would no doubt rapidly increase if their number were not ma- 
terially thinned by the attacks of man and tigers. The Brazilian 
government order annually an expedition against them, the object 
of which is to capture such as may become reconciled to the domes- 
tic state, and to kill the untractable for the sake of their hides and 
flesh, the latter of which is slightly salted and dried in the sun on 
the spot, and sent to Manaos, at the mouth of the Rio Negro. As 
an account of the manner of attack and capture may prove of interest, 
I relate what I have seen during my presence at one of these expe- 
ditions, coupled with the information which I received from the 
administrator of these farms. 

A place having been selected in the vicinity of water, the huts of 
the party are soon erected and the necessary preparations concluded. 
The men go out in pairs on horseback, each being provided with the 
lasso, a rope plaited of narrow thongs, and about twelve fathoms 
long. One end of it is firmly fixed to the girth of the saddle, zene- 
rally on the right side, and at the other end is a running noose. As 
soon as a herd of cattle is observed, the horsemen approach gently, 
but their object of remaining unobserved is generally frustrated, as 
the cattle begin to run as soon as the horsemen come near them. 
The animal which is to be chased having been meanwhile selected, and 
pointed out, the horsemen follow, and as the horses are the swifter, 
they manage in a short time to get nearly in a parallel line with the 
animal. The well-taught steed, as if aware which had been selected 
for the chase, takes care to keep up with it, until its rider finds op- 
portunity to prepare for the cast of the lasso. ‘This is taken in the 
right hand, so that the noose may be opposite that part of the circle 
which he keeps firm in his hand, the other parts of the lasso hanging 
loosely in coils on the fingers of the left hand. Rising in his stirrups, 
he gives the noose an impetus by swinging it several times round 
his head, and discharges it, when he thinks he is most sure in his aim : 
it carries off the remainder of the string from his left, and, circling 
in the air, it descends over the horns of the animal, and drawing close 
around the crown of its head, its swift course is stayed. This is the 


Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 199 


moment, when the well-trained horse, although in full speed, stops 
still, and turning round, uses all its power to pull against the en- 
raged animal. We have supposed that the animal was secured while 
trying to escape by flight, but sometimes the cattle stand and furi- 
ously attack the horsemen, and then great coolness and address are 
necessary, to avoid their ferocious efforts to gore the horse and its 
rider. If the horses be lively and well-trained, a great deal of the 
danger is avoided, as the wary steed watches the motions of the 
animal, and dexterously avoids its attack, when it suddenly darts upon 
it. The herd meanwhile pursue their flight, leaving the bulls to guard 
their retreat, and as it is not usual that they wheel to repeat 
their attack, if they have once missed their aim, the danger is much 
lessened, and the horsemen soon succeed in riding off one of the 
bulls from the rest of the herd and pursue until he stands at bay. 
The horsemen now keep going round and round the animal, the one 
endeavouring to engage his attention by making nearer approaches, 
while the other draws sufficiently near from the opposite side to war- 
rant success, if he should throw his lasso. If the bull make a dart 
upon either of them, they turn sharp off to the right or left, and the 
animal passes on straight forward, and makes soon after another 
stand, until one or the other of the horsemen succeeds in entangling 
him with the running noose. ‘The ensnared animal makes ferocious 
efforts to gore the horse, but the latter, aware of the danger by which 
it is threatened, keeps the rope always on a stretch. If the captured 
animal pursues too swiftly or makes an unexpected attack, the horse- 
man turns suddenly, stretching by this manceuvre the line at full 
speed, and counteracting forcibly the animal’s advance forwards ; it 
seldom fails of throwing it down, and sometimes with such force as 
to break its neck or limbs. Convinced at last, that its efforts to gore 
its capturer are fruitless, it becomes sullen, and allows itself to be 
dragged forward to the temporary pen which has been erected at the 
camp. Here they are kept without food or water for three days ; they 
are then turned out, and allowed to graze and drink water, flanked 
on all sides by horsemen with lances, who manceuvre round the herd 
to drive back any which might venture to escape; and in the even- 
ing they are driven back’to the pen. If any should succeed in 
making their escape the horsemen are ready to pursue them, and to 
bring back the fugitives in a similar manner as related ;_ but it hap- 
pens frequently that they become so stubborn as to defy every at- 
tempt to induce them to move forward, and such as are so refrac- 
tory are therefore butchered with the knife. 


[To be continued. ] 


200 Bibliographical Notices. 


BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


Pracht-Flora Europaeischer Schimmelbildungen. A. C.J. Corda. 
Leipzic and Dresden, 1839. Folio. 


It may seem quite ridiculous to publish a Sertum Mucedinum in 
the same magnificent style as the Sertum Orchideum of Professor 
Lindley, but if any be inclined to think so, we have only to refer 
them to the present most splendid and interesting work. The forms 
illustrated therein are so beautiful and extraordinary, that at first 
sight one would be almost inclined to think them recollections of 
dreams rather than representations of realities and those the offspring 
of corruption. Twenty-six species, selected for singularity or ele- 
gance, are figured, not, as in the generality of works on mycology, by 
mere scraps, but in all their beauty. Of these nine only have been 
figured before, and on most of these new light is thrown. Nothing 
can well be more perfect than the figure of Syzigytes megalocarpus, 
which is one of the most wonderful of vegetable productions, not 
yielding in interest to Zygnema or Closteria ; and notwithstanding 
the admirable memoir of Ehrenberg, under the auspices of the author 
it presents new attractions. Some of the new forms represented are 
most wonderful; amongst them is a new Hchinobotryum, which we 
have ourselves lately detected of dead stems of Dahlia. It appears 
that the species of the genus are parasites on the stems of other 
moulds. 

We cannot always agree with the author in his systematic views, 
but with so much novelty before us we may be content to pardon 
one or two errors. The plant for instance figured under the name 
of Dactylium belongs clearly to quite another series, and is in fact 
closely allied to Helminthosporium.. We strongly recommend the 
work not only to the mycologist but to the lover of nature, to whom 
the wonders displayed by these lowly productions must prove a rich 
repast. In conclusion we cannot refrain from quoting the motto 
prefixed to the work : ‘‘ Quelle admirable structure, quelle sagesse, 
quelle Tout-puissance dans le moindre objet sorti des mains du 
Créateur !” | 


In the press. 


Dr. Johnston is preparing for the press a ‘ History of the British 
Sponges and Corallines,’ to be printed and illustrated in the same 
style as his History of the British Zoophytes, to which this new 
work may be considered as a Supplement, and as completing his ori- 


Bibliographical Notices. 201 


ginal design. It will contain a very full account of all that has been 
hitherto written on the subject; and an original figure of every spe- 
cies and remarkable variety will be given. Dr. Johnston intends at 
the same time to avail himself of this opportunity of adding many 
new figures of zoophytes contributed by his friends, and acquired by 
himself, since the volume on British Zoophytes was published. 


Corpus Florarum Provincialium Suecie.—]. Floram Scanicam 
scripsit E. Fries, Upsaliz, 1835. 8vo. 


This is the first of a series of Floras of the different parts of 
Sweden, comprising that of Schonen. Our object in noticing it here 
is to give a sketch of the learned Professor’s latest views on the ar- 
rangement of Fungi, which we are enabled to do not only by the 
help of the work itself, but from a letter from the Professor himself, 
dated October 4th, 1838. As the work (though, like the ‘ Novitiz 
Flore Suecice’ lately noticed, it is of great utility) is not probably 
in many hands, we think it cannot fail to be acceptable. 


a. Agaricinei. b. Polyporei. c. Hydnei. d. Au- 


1. Hymenomycetes. { , wet ae Sines 
ricularinei. e. Clavariei. jf Tremellinei. 


a. Helvellei (Morchella, Helvetla, Rhizina, Peziza, 
&c.) = Pez. ceracee. 
6. Bulgariei (Leotia, Bulgaria, &c.) = Pez. gelati- 


2. DiscomycrETEs. { 


Discus excipulo satu- nose. 
ratior. c. Dermei (Vibrissea, Ditiola, Dermea, &c.)=Pez. 
tuberosze. 


Discus nt wi ee d. Patellariei (Sarea, Patellaria, Cenangium, &c.) 
bus excipulo dilutior. 
e. Phacidiacei (Glonium, Actidium, Hysterium, 
Phacidium, Rhytisma, Leptostroma, &c.) 


f. Stictidei. 


eR aa, es € prorsus novo principio ultra 50, natura- 
lissima. 
a. Spheciei. Ostiolo prominulo, sive eustomi, quale 
etiam Sp. fusce, &c. 

6. Dothiorei, Ostiolo impresso, sive cryptostomi. 
ce. Dichzenei. Ostiolo rimoso, sive rhegmostomi. 
(‘d. Perisporiei. Ostiolo poroso, sive porostomi. Ana- 

logicum Gasteromycetibus. 
e. Apiosporei. Astomi nec sponte dehiscentes (h. 
1, Antennaria, Myxothecium, Vermicularia.) 
f. Cytisporei. Coniomycetes in nucleum redacti, 
tangunt stilbosporeos, 


ANG 


202 Zoological Society. 


4. GasTEROMYCETES. 


a. Phallodei. Analogi cum Hymenomycetibus. 
} b. Tuberacei. Analogi cum Discomycetibus. 


sent act c. Nidularacei. Analogi cum Pyrenomycetibus. 
d. Lycoperdinei. 
e. Trichodermacei. Hyphomycetes perfectius evo- 
Sporidia spulveracea< luti. 
_laxa. | f. Myxogastres. Hypodermiis eximie analogi v.c. 


U Perichena strobilina = Peridermium, Lk. 


(Obs. nunc limites non e substantia floccosa, sed in 
morphosi pono.) 

. Isariei sive Hymenomycetes elementares. 

. Stilbini sive Discomycetes elementares. 

. Mucorini sive Pyrenomycetes. 

. Mucedines sive Gasteromycetes elementares cum 
Trichodermaceis confluentes. 

e. Dematiei. 

f. Sporodermei sive Coniomycetes in floccos conca- 

tenati. 


5. Hyruomyceres. 


a. oes 


a. Sclerotiacei sive Hymenomycetes elementares. 
b. ‘Tubercularei sive Discomycetes elementares. 
PAT Sy een 2 ce. Stilbosporei sive Pyrenomycetes elementares. 
d. I\losporei sive Gasteromycetes elementares. 
e. Sepedoniei sive Hyphomycetes elementares. 
Lf. Hypodermiei. 


PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. 


ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
February 12, 1839.—Thomas Bell, Esq., V.P., in the Chair. 

A paper from Mr. Schomburgk, entitled ‘‘ Remarks on the Greater 
Ant-bear (Myrmecophaga jubata),”’ wasread. This paper commences 
with some general observations on the Hdentata and Monotremata : 
the author then proceeds to give a detailed description of the animal 
under consideration. The following is an abstract of the remaining 
portion of the paper, or that which relates to the habits of the animal. 

Mr. Schomburgk observes, that at a distance the Ant-bear appears 
to be a much taller animal than it really is, owing to the elongated 
and nearly erect hair of the mane, and also the erect manner in which 
it carries its large bushy tail. When walking, the outer portion of 
the fore foot is applied to the ground, and the long claws are then 
doubled inwards. It runs with a peculiar trot, and is not, as has 
been represented, slow in its movements and easily overtaken ; for 
when chased it will keep a horse in canter, and does not tire readily. 


Loological Society. 203 


White Ants or Termites constitute its chief food. When the Ant- 
bear meets with one of the tumuli constructed by the White Ants, 
it immediately pulls the fabric down by means of its large strong 
claws, and when the Ants are thus exposed its long slender tongue 
is thrust out to collect them. ‘The movements of the tongue, alter- 
nately protruded and retracted, are so rapid, says Dr. Schomburgk, 
that it is no longer surprising how so large an animal can satiate 
its appetite with such minute insects. With the Termites he swal- 
lows a considerable quantity of the material of which the Ants’ 
nest is constructed. Of this fact Mr. Schomburgk assured himself by 
dissection, and he is of opinion that the substance of the nest serves 
as a corrector. 

‘It has been generally thought,” says Mr. Schomburgk, ‘ that the 
Ant-bear lives exclusively on Ants; this, however, is not the case. 
In one which I dissected a year ago, a species of Judus was found ; 
and an adult one now in my possession swallows with avidity fresh 
meat hashed up for it. 

‘‘The Ant-bear makes neither nest nor burrow, its ample tail ser- 
ving it as sole protection against the inclemency of the weather. One 
of its favourite positions when at rest, is to tuck up its feet under its 
belly, and to unite the two extremities almost close together; in which 
position the tail covers the whole animal: at other times it cowers 
itself up like a dog when asleep, and the tail covers only the snout 
and part of the body. The female Ant-bear possesses two pectoral 
teats, and produces only one young at a time; and as soon as this 
has received sufficient strength the mother carries it with her on her 
back, where it keeps itself firmly attached. ‘The young animal re- 
mains with its mother for the space of a year, and as this is the pe- 
riod when she brings forth again, itis then obliged to shift for itself. 

“If the mother be attacked, she defends herself valiantly : raising 
herself upon her haunches, she strikes with her sharp claws at the 
enemy ; this is chiefly done with the right foot, while the left rests 
on the ground; but she quickly changes their respective positions 
when the attack is carried to the other side: the young one remains 
all the while clinging to her. If the danger increase, she throws 
herself upon her back, and strikes with both claws at her enemy. 

*“‘IT have been assured by a highly-credible person, that the Jaguar 
finds it difficult to conquer the Ant-bear, and the fight which en- 
sues was described to me as characteristic. It happens frequently 
‘that both combatants remain dead upon the spot, or that one does 
not survive the other many hours. The force which the Ant-bear 
possesses in its fore feet is astonishing, and I have no doubt that it 


204 Zoological Society. 


‘is well able to rip open the belly of its assailant; nevertheless, I 
should scarcely have supposed that the Ant-bear proved formidable 
to the fiercest of American animals. 

*« A young one, estimated about four weeks old, was presented to 
me by Dom Pedro Ayres. While riding on horseback over the sa- 
vannahs, he discovered the parent with the young, and immediately 
gave chase. After she had kept the horse in full canter for half an 
hour, she found herself so closely pressed that she put herself in de- 
fence: my friend was ready with the lasso, and having thrown it 
dexterously over her, she was secured. To the last moment the 
young one had clung to the mother. 

«‘The young one measured over the forehead along the back, from 
the tip of the nose to the insertion of the tail, twenty-two and a half 
inches ; the tail was twelve and a half inches, and it stood nine and 
three quarter inches high. In lieu of the yellowish white of the legs, 
and the bands of the same colour, which give such a remarkable ap- 
pearance to the adult, there were in the young animal gray hairs, 
tinged with white: in all other respects it resembled its mother in 
colouring. 

“The young Ant-bear was quite wild at first, and sought for some 
dark corner in the room in which it was confined, in order to hide 
itself. When we approached it, it put itself immediately in defence 
like the adult ones, and struck out with its right paw, uttering at the 
same time a growl like that of an incensed puppy. After a few 
days, however, it became accustomed to its situation, and an In- 
dian woman took upon her to feed it with milk and Cassada, and 
sometimes with White Ants. It soon showed great attachment to 
her, and followed her like a dog. 

‘It appeared to be of a very cold nature ; not only the extremities, 
but the whole body felt cold to the touch, although we kept it 
wrapped up in a blanket. It preferred, however, to be nestled, and 
to be taken up, and on putting it down it uttered a whining but 
not unpleasant sound; when it did not succeed in attracting atten- 
tion, and was not taken up again, the whining sound was raised to 
a harsh and grating noise. In following a person, it directed its 
course more by the smell than by sight, and carried its snout 
close to the ground. If it found itself at fault, it wheeled round 
at right angles upon the hind legs, and snuffed the air in all 
directions, until it found the right scent again. Of the dimness 
of its sight we had various proofs; it hurt itself frequently against 
objects that stood in its way, not observing them until it came in 
contact with them. Its power of smelling was exquisite, and it could 


Zoological Society. 205 


discover its nurse, or any person to whom it had taken a liking, at a 
considerable distance. Upon these occasions it would immediately 
commence the whining sound so peculiar to this animal. It was an 
expert climber; it happened that I was one of its favourites, and 
whilst writing on my table it used to come softly behind me, and as 
soon as it was sure it had found me out, it climbed up my legs 
with great dexterity. It showed its attachment by licking, and was 
very gentle and even sportive ; we all prized it highly. It slept a 
great deal. We had it for nearly two months, and as it began to 
feed itself we had great hopes of rearing it; unfortunately we were 
unable to procure milk, and whether in consequence of the change 
of food, or some other cause, it gradually declined. I found it some- 
times as cold as ice, and stiff, and although I recovered it repeatedly, 
it died one day during my absence. 

‘“‘Its place had been meanwhile supplied by an adult specimen, 
likewise a female. I shall never forget the interesting sight which 
this individual presented. Some of the Indians belonging to my 
party, whom I had despatched in quest of game, met it on the sa- 
vannahs, and wisely attempted to drive it towards San Joaquim 
without wounding it. My attention was first attracted by an im- 
mense hue and cry from the persons about the fort, and upon step- 
ping out the first object which struck me was the Ant-bear, running 
in a kind of dog gallop towards the houses, and flanked on both 
sides by the red-skinned Indians, who were furnished with bows and 
arrows, which they were ready to discharge, should the animal break 
through their lines. Having arrived at the walls of the fort, it re- 
treated into one of the corners which a bastion formed, and attempted 
to climb up by thrusting its nails into some of the larger interstices 
between the freestone of which the walls are built; it did not, how- 
ever, succeed, and we managed to throw a lasso over it. The 
animal defended itself valiantly, and as the surrounding persons 
appeared to be afraid of it, it ran a fair chance of slipping the 
noose; some of the men more courageous than the rest threw it, 
however, on the ground, and another noose being fixed to one of its 
legs, it was secured, and safely lodged in the yard attached to our 
quarters. In its endeavours to get rid of the rope, which passed 
round the rump, it chafed itself considerably, and we found it ne- 
cessary to make a roomy pen, to which it was conveyed. It be- 
gan to feed on the third day: we gave it Ants and farina; the 
latter, a preparation of Cassada root, it never refused. The Ants’ 
nests in the neighbourhood of the fort were soon exhausted, and 
more in way of experiment than out of persuasion that the animal 


206 - Zoological Society, 


would eat it, some small pieces of fresh beef were placed before it; 
to our greatest astonishment it ate the meat with avidity, and has 
since been chiefly fed on fresh beef and fish. 

‘«‘ By kind treatment it soon became domesticated, and fed out of 
our hands. When not asleep, (in which state it used the same 
position as already related,) it rested entirely on its haunches, and 
stretching its long snout through the palings of its pen, it surveyed 
the surrounding objects, and snuffed the air. 

‘It even raised itself frequently, and without difficulty, to nearly 
an erect posture, and remained thus for some minutes; sometimes 
it sat with its fore feet crossed. In feeding, it kneeled as sheep 
and goats do. It attempted frequently to take up objects with its 
paws; in this manceuvre its long claws assisted wonderfully. In 
rising from its resting posture it used first to get upon its knees. 

‘‘ When some meat was thrown before it, it expanded the lateral 
apertures of the nostrils, and seemed, by moving its flexible upper 
lip, as if it intended to seek out the most delicate morsels. 

«‘T have already remarked how fond the young one was of climb- 
ing, and have no doubt that, if circumstances should require it, they 
climb trees in their wild state with the same agility. 

“It secretes a liquid substance, transparent like water, which 
drops down almost constantly out of its nostrils and mouth; this is 
the more remarkable, as it used very little water. The Llama, with- 
out using much water, possesses likewise a superabundant quantity 
of saliva. I recollect, before the pen was finished, when lying in the 
sun, it perspired so profusely that its hair could not have been more 
wet had the animal been in the water. It is remarkable that the 
four individuals, and the young one which we secured at Fort San 
Joaquim, were all females; in no instance have we observed a male. 
What, then, is the natural question, becomes of the males? I can 
give no other answer than that the males are unproportioned to the 
number of females, and are, no doubt, much more shy. Those which 
we secured were caught during day ; it issues, perhaps, from the dense 
forests only by night. A similar instance offers itself in the genus 
Auchenia, of which the males do not quit their pastures in quest of 
the females, and herds exclusively of females and males are met 
with; it is only during the rutting season that they mix, when the 
males combat for the females. : 

«‘ Tf it could be substantiated that the number of males is consi- 
derably smaller than that of the females, in that circumstance would 
rest an additional ground for supposing that the extinction of its 
species, like those of the Hdentata in general, is determined upon. 


Zoological Society. 207 


“The flesh of the Ant-bear is eaten by many of the native tribes, 
and also by the negroes, who consider its skin a great delicacy.” 


February 26, 1839.—The Rev. F. W. Hope in the chair. 


A communication from the Bishop of Down and Connor was read. 

In this communication (which was forwarded to the Society through 
W. Thomson, Esq., Vice-President of the Belfast Natural History 
Society) his Lordship gives an interesting account of a Philantomba 
Antelope (Antilope Philantomba, Ogilby) which his Lordship had 
had in his possession for a considerable time. The animal was 
brought from Sierra Leone by Frederick Wood Mant, Esq., who 
has lately presented it to the Society. It is said to bea native of a 
part of the country one or two hundred miles further inland. He 
is considered to be very rare even in that part of the world, so that 
little could be learned about him from the inhabitants, by whom, 
however, he appears to be known by the name of Phillantombo or 
Phillytombo. 

«He was landed in England in May 1837, and was thence brought 
to Down and Connor House, Belfast, Ireland, where he has lived 
till this present November 1838. The chief change noticed in him 
has been the loss of his teeth, which took place about Midsummer 
1837, and again in 1838, somewhat later in the season; but neither 
time did he seem to suffer any inconvenience, except for about a 
fortnight, when he appeared to require softer food than beans and 
biscuit. He also lost the rough sheath which covered his horns, by 
rubbing them against trees and posts, of which exercise he is very 
fond; as he is also of rubbing his cheeks against anything that will 
assist in removing the glutinous substance which exudes from the 
orifices under his eyes: for this purpose he is pleased with having 
his face rubbed by the hand, and he also seems to be gratified by a 
similar application between his horns. It should be added, that the 
points of his horns are extremely sharp, as has been experienced by 
those who have been standing near him when he has been in a play- 
ful mood, or who have had occasion to catch him in order to remove 
him to his night quarters; for although extremely gentle, and free 
from vice, he is at times too frolicksome to submit willingly to con- 
finement, and is impatient of being taken up in the arms, when he 
utters a cry like a petted child. It has been remarked, in the case 
of any wound being inflicted by his horns, that it has never been 
followed by inflammation, and has soon healed. 

‘‘ His food has been various; slices of raw potatoes at first, when 
he came, was his favourite food; but since he has been tried with 


208 Zoological Society. 


wheat, and rick beans, and with green branches of any tree, or 
withered leaves of any kind, he has not eaten of the potatoes at all. 
Every fruit he readily devours as well as flowers, such as china roses 
and tulips, or any other gay ornament of the parterre. He has been 
sometimes observed to dibble in the earth with his sharp hoof, and 
eat voraciously of the mould; and once, having got access toa plum 
tree, he swallowed so much of the fruit, stones and all, as to occa- 
sion considerable alarm for his safety. He is very fond of hard biscuit, 
and drinks often of fresh water.” 

An account of the habits of the Chimpanzee was communicated by 
Lieut. Henry K. Sayers. ‘‘ Bamboo, the Chimpanzee, now in the 
Zoological Society’s Gardens, Regent’s Park, and the subject of this 
sketch,” says Lieut. Sayers, ‘‘ was purchased, about eight months 
since, from a Mandingo, at Sierra Leone, who related that he had 
captured him in the Bullom country, having first shot the mother, 
on which occasions the young ones never fail to remain by their 
wounded parents. On becoming mine, he was delivered over to a black 
boy, my servant, and in a few days became so attached to him as to 
be exceedingly troublesome, screaming and throwing himself mto 
the most violent passion if he attempted to leave him for a moment. 
He evinced also a most strange affection for clothes, never omitting 
an opportunity of possessing himself of the first garment he came 
across, whenever he had the means of entering my apartment, which 
he carried immediately to the Piazza, where invariably he seated 
himself on it with a self-satisfied grunt, nor would he resign it 
without a hard fight, and, on being worsted, exhibited every sym- 
ptom of the greatest anger. Observing this strange fancy I procured 
him a piece of cotton cloth, which, much to the amusement of all 
who saw him, he was never without, carrying it with him wherever 
he went, nor could any temptation induce him to resign it even for 
amoment. Totally unacquainted with their mode of living in the 
wild state, I adopted the following method of feeding him, which 
has appeared to succeed admirably. —In the morning, at eight 
o’clock, he received a piece of bread about the size of a halfpenny 
loaf, steeped in water or milk and water; about two, a couple of 
bananas or plantains ; and before he retired for the night, a banana, 
orange, or slice of pine apple. ‘The banana appeared to be his fa- 
vourite fruit; for it he would forsake all other viands, and if not 
gratified, would exhibit the utmost petulance. On one occasion I 
deemed it necessary to refuse him one, considering that he had al- 
ready eaten a sufficiency, upon which he threw himself into the most 
violent passion, and uttering a piercing cry, knocked his head with 


Zoological Society. 209 


such violence against the wall as to throw him on his back, then as- 
cending a chest which was near, wildly threw his arms into the air 
and precipitated himself from it. These actions so alarmed me for 
his safety that I gave up the contest, and on doing so he evinced the 
greatest satisfaction at his victory, uttering, for several minutes, the 
most expressive grunts and cries; in short, he exhibited on all oc- 
casions where his will was opposed, the impatient temper of a spoilt 
child; but even in the height of passion I never observed any dispo- 
sition to bite or otherwise ill treat his keeper or myself. 

«Although he would never object to be caressed or nursed by 
even a stranger, yet I never saw him evince the slightest disposition 
to make the acquaintance of any other animal. At the time he 
came into my possession I had two Patas Monkeys, and thinking 
they might become acquainted, I placed Mr. Bamboo in the same 
apartment, where he resided for five months, yet I never saw the 
least desire on his part to become even friendly ; on the contrary, he 
showed evident anger and dislike at their approach. This strange 
attachment to the human race and manifest dislike to all others, I 
have always considered one of the most extraordinary features of 
this genus. His cunning was also remarkable. On all occasions 
where he thought he was unobserved, he would not fail to steal 
everything within his reach, for no other apparent purpose than to 
gratify a propensity for thieving: did he, however, even think you 
were looking at him, he would wait his opportunity with the great- 
est patience before he commenced depredations. In his habits, un- 
like the monkey tribe, he was exceedingly cleanly, never soiling his 
bed or any place near it; and even on board ship (during the warm 
weather) he never failed to seek the deck, unassisted, whenever the 
calls of nature required it. On being left by himself in his piazza he 
would invariably seat himself on the window-sill, which was the 
highest point he could attain, and commanded a view of the barrack 
yard as well as the interior of my bed-room; but at sun-set he would 
descend, enter a washing-tub, which he had of his own accord chosen 
as a sleeping-place, and remain there all night: as soon, however, 
as the sun rose, he would never fail to occupy his favourite position 
on the window-ledge. From this I should say, that trees are as- 
cended by the Chimpanzees merely for observation or food, and that 
they live principally on the ground. Bamboo, at the time of pur- 
chase, appeared to be about fourteen months old, and from what I 
could learn from the natives, they do not reach their full growth till 
between nine and ten years of age, which, if true, brings them ex- 
tremely near the human species, as the boy or girl of West Africa, 


Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. 4. No. 23. Nov. 1839. Q 


210 Zoological Society. 


at thirteen or fourteen years old, is quite as much a man or woman 
as those of nineteen or twenty in our more northern clime. Their 
height, when full-grown, is said to be between four and five feet : 
indeed I was credibly informed, that a male Chimpanzee, which 
had been shot in the neighbourhood and brought into Free Town, 
measured four feet five inches in length, and was so heavy as to form 
a very fair load for two men, who carried him on a pole between 
them. The natives say that in their wild state their strength is 
enormous, and that they have seen them snap boughs off the trees 
with the greatest apparent ease, which the united strength of two 
men could scarcely bend. The Chimpanzee is, without doubt, to 
be found in all the countries from the banks of the Gambia in the 
north, to the kingdom of Congo in the south, as the natives of all 
the intermediate parts seem to be perfectly acquainted with them. 
From my own experience I can state that the low shores of the Bul- 
lom country, situated on the northern shores of the river Sierra 
Leone, are infested by them in numbers quite equal to the commonest 
species of monkey.. I consider these animals to be gregarious, for 
when visiting the rice farms of the Chief Dalla Mohammadoo, on 
the Bullom shore, their cries plainly indicated the vicinity of a troop, 
as the noise heard could not have been produced by less than eight 
or ten of them. The zatives also affirmed, that they always travel 
in strong bodies, armed with sticks, which they use with much dex- 
terity. They are exceedingly watchful, and the first one who discovers 
the approach of a stranger utters a protracted cry, much resembling 
that of a human being in the greatest distress. The difficulty of 
procuring live specimens of this genus arises principally, I should 
say, from the superstitions of the natives concerning them, who be- 
lieve they possess the power of ‘ witching.’ 

‘« There are authors who have, I believe, affirmed that some of the 
natives on the western coast term these animals in their language 
‘ Pongos;’ but I observed that all the natives in the neighbourhood of 
Sierra Leone, when speaking of this animal, invariably called him 
‘Baboo,’ a corruption, I should suppose, of our term Baboon.” 

At the request of the Chairman, Mr. Ogilby proceeded to make 
some observations upon a new species of Monkey, now living at the 
Society’s Menagerie, which he characterized as follows :— 

Pario Metanorus. P. cinereo-brunneus ; capite, dorso, lumbis- 
que sub-nigris ; caudd brevissimd, nuda; facie, auriculisque 
pallidis. 

The specimen from which this description is taken is a young 

male, said to have been brought from Madras. It has at first sight a 


Botanical Society of London. 211 


considerable resemblance to the common Barbary species (Papio 
sylvanus) both in general colour and in physiognomy, but differs 
materially in the blackish brown shade which covers all the upper 
parts of the head, neck, shoulders, and back. ‘The face and ears 
are of a pale flesh colour, not unlike the shade which distinguishes 
extreme age in the human species; the naked part of the paws is 
dirty brown, and the temples are slightly tinged with a shade of 
scarlet, which the keeper informs me spreads and deepens when the 
animal is feeding. The tail is about an inch long, very slender, and 
perfectly naked; but whether the last circumstance be not accidental 
I shall not take on me to say; it appears, however, to be the 
natural condition of the organ. The general colour of the sides, 
under parts of the body, and extremities, is that pale olive brown so 
common among other species of this genus, such as the Bhunder (P. 
Rhesus), the Maimon (P. Nemestrinus), &c., and the hairs are 
equally without annulations. The individual has all the liveliness, 
good-nature, and grimace of the young Magot (P. Inuus and Syl- 
vanus); but, like that species, it will probably become morose and 
saturnine as it advances in age and physical development; qualities 
which, indeed, are common to all the Papios, and pre-eminently di- 
stinguish them from the Cercopithecs, Colobs, and Semnopithecs. 


BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. 


February 15, 1839.—Dr. D. C. Macreight, V.P., F.L.S., in the 
Chair. 


Dr. W. H. Willshire read a paper “On the structure of the 
Woody Fibre in the tribe Gymnospermie.” 


March 1, 1839.—John Reynolds, Esq., Treasurer, in the Chair. 


A paper was read from Mr. Robert M. Stark “ On the Muscology 
of Cirencester, Gloucestershire,” (communicated by the Curator, ) in 
which he stated that he had observed the following Mosses in that 
district. 


Phascum subulatum. Grimmia pulvinata. 
cuspidatum. Dicranum bryoides. 
Gymnostomum ovatum. adiantoides. 
truncatulum. laxifolium. 
conicum. scoparium, 
Encalypta vulgaris. Tortula enervis. 
Weissia curvirostra. muralis. 
Grimmia apocarpa. ruralis. 


212: Botanical Society of London. 


Tortula unguiculata. Hypnum trichomanoides. 
fallax. complanatum. 
Polytrichum undulatum. serpens. 
lunaria hygrometrica. populeum. 
Orthotrichum anomalum. purum. 
affine. sericeum. 
diaphanum. albicans. 
striatum. dendroides. 
crispum. curvatum. 
Bryum argenteum, proliferum. 
ceespititium. rutabulum. 
ligulatum. velutinum. 
rostratum. cordifolium. 
Neckera pumila. triquetrum. 
Anomodon viticulosum. cupressiforme. 
Daltonia heteromalla. molluscum. 


Mr. Daniel Cooper read a paper ‘‘ On a new Structure in Roots 
or Stems of Dicotyledonous Plants, in which a Deviation from the 
Concentric circles of Wood to the Spiral had occurred.” He also 
exhibited specimens of the Spiral Arrangement which he had been 
given to understand were procured from the Burdock. 

Mr. J. T. Cooper, Jun., exhibited numerous figures of Mosses 
and Ferns produced by the Photogenic process of Mr. Talbot. 


March 15, 1839.—John Edward Gray, Esq., F.R.S., President, in 
the Chair. 


A paper was read from Edwin Lees, Esq., F.L.S., being ‘‘ Obser- 
vations on the species of Tilia natives of England, with Notices of 
some individual remarkable and aged Trees.” The author stated that 
he considered the Lime indigenous to Worcestershire, the borders of 
Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Monmouthshire and South Wales. 
At Hainford, four miles north of Worcester, on the banks of the 
Severn; about the western base of the Berrow Hill, near Martley; on 
Ankerdine Hill, near Knightsford Bridge; on the Teme; as well as 
amongst the rocky glens about Pont Nedd Vechan, Glamorganshire ; 
many very remarkable old Limes occur in spots evidently under the 
wild keeping of nature. Mr. Lees had also observed the Lime grow- 
ing profusely on a steep precipice overhanging the Teme, called 
Rosebury Rock, and forming woods on the old Red Sandstone banks 
above Knightsford Bridge, as well as covering in particular nearly the 
whole of a large natural wood of 500 acres in extent at Shrawley, 
eight miles north of Worcester, where for many years it has regu- 
larly been cut down at intervals as underwood, and the pollarded 
stumps are moss-covered and evidently of great age. It is also ap- 
parently wild near Ledbury, Herefordshire, at Broomsberrow in 


Miscellaneous. | 213 


Gloucestershire, and in Monmouthshire. Near Broomsberrow, where 
some very curious old Limes of the broad-leaved kind present them- 
selves, is a place called Linteredge, no doubt from the Linden trees 
there, which is in fact the more common and proper appellation ; and 
a parish called Linwood in Lincolnshire, where the small-leaved Lin- 
den is said to grow, is very likely derived from a similar fact. ‘The 
paper was accompanied by six splendid drawings of old Limes ob- 
served in different places (from the pencil of Mr. Lees) who also 
sent the Society numerous species of the Tilia. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF BRITISH BIRDS. 

Mr. Fellows, who has recently pubiished a very interesting Journal 
of a tour he made last year in Asia Minor*, has communicated to us 
a list of the birds which he observed and shot during his tour, and a 
short notice of those which occur in the British Islands may not be 
unacceptable as an addition to our information regarding their geo- 
graphical range. 

Neophron percnopterus, Sw. Falco rufipes, Bechst. The most 
common Hawk in Asia Minor, building its nest under the roofs and 
sometimes even in the interior of houses.—Accipiter fringillarius, 
Will. Killed on the Highlands near Altius Tash.—Noctua passerina, 
Selby+. Shot at Ephesus in the Theatre, found commonly through 
Asia Minor and Greece.—Lanius rufus, L. Collurio, Saxicola Qinanthe, 
Sturnus vulgaris, Upupa Epops,—Sitia europea. The name in Turk- 
ish signifies ‘‘ Nut-Borer.””—Cuculus canorus. Seen on the mountains 
during the month of April and at no other time.—Coracias garrula. 
Common throughout the south and west parts of the country where- 
ever the Magpie was not found, and never seen in the same district 
with that bird: falls through the air like a Tumbler Pigeon.—Me- 
rops Apiaster. Found in the south and west parts of the county ; 
they utter a rich warbling ‘‘ Chirp” when on the wing and generally 
fly rapidly and high in the air; they are often found among the tur- 
pentine firs, from which bees collect much honey, and are sometimes 
attracted to the valleys by the numerous apiaries of the peasantry.— 

* This work has excited considerable attention from the discovery by Mr. 
Fellows of the extensive remains of many Greek towns, highly interesting 
to the antiquarian and the scholar. 

+ N. passerina of Selby, and most modern ornithologists, is Ot. nudipes, 
Nilsson, easily distinguished from the only British bird with which it can be 


confounded, the Noctua Tengmalmi, Selby,:by its bare or thinly plumed 
toes. The true N. passerina has not yet been added to the British list.—Ep. 


214 Miscellaneous. 


Columba Turtur, Charadrius Hiaticula, Totanus hypoleucos, Glareola 
pratincola, shot at Xanthus, the “‘ Partridge Snipe” of the Turks. 
—Larus argentatus, Tadorna rutila. ‘These specimens are placed 
in the Museum of the Natural History Society at Nottingham. 


ON THE GENERA ZGILOPS AND TRITICUM. 

From the extreme resemblance of the fruit of Agilops with the 
grains of cultivated wheat, some botanists have supposed that the 
latter was merely an Afgilops modified by cultivation. M. Esprit 
Fabre having found some plants of digilops triticoides last year, in 
the environs of Agde, sowed the fruits of them in his garden, and 
obtained a plant in which the characters of 4gilops almost entirely 
disappeared to give place to those of Triticum. It is not yet quite 
a Triticum, nor is it an Aigilops. Next year M. Fabre intends to 
sow the grains he gathered this year, and to continue the observa- 
tions he has begun.— Comptes Rendus, August 1839. No. 7. 


ON THE ANIMAL NATURE OF THE OSCILLATORIA, 

In a late Number of the ‘ Annals,’ p. 70, we drew the attention 
of our readers to the problematical nature of the Oscillatoria; since 
then we have received the April number of the ‘ Annales des Sciences 
Naturelles,’ in which Dr. Unger, in communicating the description 
of a new Spirillum, makes the following observation on the nature 
of these curious and interesting forms, I did not propose, says the 
learned Doctor, in making this communication to enter into a compa- 
rative examination of the Oscillatoria, but to combat a system, ac- 
cording to which the forms at present known ought to be necessarily 
referred to some vegetable genus, composed of elements certainly 
very heterogeneous. When Agardh, speaking of some Oscillatoria* 
which move with the greatest ease, states that they have an arti- 
culated head which they move after the manner of a beak, he cer- 
tainly by this points to an animal nature. ‘The characters assigned 
by Agardh to the Oscillatoria animalis of Karlsbad are far more 
striking: according to his expressions, it does not oscillate ; it has 
not the pendulum-like movement; but it crawls like a worm, and 
turns itself in every direction. It is also able to move itself freely 
in the water, differing thus from the others, which are only able to 
do this when they rest on the common substratum. J¢ moves the 
head, which is linguiform, as the mollusca move their tentacula; ina 
word, animal movement cannot be denied them. Moreover, if we 


* Ueber die gegen meine Ansichten in der Physiologie der Algen ge- 
machten Einwiirfe-—Nova Acta Nat, Curios. vol. xiv. part II, p. 756. 


Meteorological Observations. 215 


refer to his own opinion (1. c. p. 8.) which he expresses when de- 
scribing the Oscillatoria of Karlsbad, that their characters depend 
chiefly on their mode of life, we shall be so much the more induced 
to consider these productions rather as animal than vegetable. It is 
only to be regretted that we know so little of the history of the life 
and development of these beings, for we refuse to characterize some 
forms as animal on the sole ground that we do not find in them that 
movement which is the property of animal nature. 


NEW SPECIES OF FROG FOUND IN AMBER. 
The ‘Annales des Sciences Naturelles’ for June mentions, as a pa- 
leontological curiosity, a Frog contained in a fragment of yellow 
amber, and preserving all its external characters, in the possession 
of the Baron Bulow Rieth, of Stettin; and certainly not inclosed by 
artificial means, as it differs specifically from all frogs now existing. 
M. Schmidt thinks it nearest to Rana temporaria in the colour of the 
skin and spots on the legs. 


METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR SEPT., 1839. 

Chiswick.—Sept. 1. Cloudy: boisterous. 2. Showery. 3. Fine: rain: fine 
at night, with splendid Aurora borealis. 4. Very fine: rain. 5, Rain. 6. 
Very fine: rain. 7. Fine: cloudy: very boisterous: almost a hurricane at 
night. 8. Fine. 9. Hazy: very fine. 10. Foggy: fine. 11, 12. Overcast. 
13. Clear and fine. 14. Heavy rain. 15. Showery. 16. Rain. 17. Very 
heavyrain. 18, Showery. 19. Overcast: clear. 20. Very fine. 21. Rain: 
cloudy: rain atnight. 23. Foggy. 24. Cloudy. 25. Showery. 26. Very 
fine. 27. Cloudy and fine: slight rain. 28. Drizzly. 29. Heavy dew: fine. 
30. Fine. 

The quantity "of rain which fell in this month, amounting to little short of 4 
inches, may be reckoned as double an average quantity. 


Boston.—Sept. 1. Stormy: raina.m. 2. Fine: rain a.m. $. Cloudy: rain 


A.M.andry.mM. 4. Fine. 5. Cloudy: rain early a.m.: raine.m. 6. Fine, 
7. Stormy: raine.m. 8. Stormy: rainearly am. 9. Cloudy. 10. Fine. 
11. Cloudy: rainearly a.m. 12. Cloudy: raina.m. 13, Fine: rain p.m. 


14. Cloudy: rain early a.m. 15,16. Cloudy: rain early a.m.: rain p.m. 17; 
18. Fine: rainearly am. 19. Fine: rainearlyr.m. 20, Fine. 21—23. 
Misty. 24,25. Cloudy. 26,27. Fine. 28. Cloudy: rain early a.m.: rain p.m. 
29, 30. Fine. 


Applegarth Manse, Dumfries-shire.— Sept. 1. Heavy showers all day. 2. Occa- 
sional showers. 3. Warm and close. 4. Occasional showers, with gleams of 
sunshine. 5. Unceasing rain. 6. Dull but fair: shower in evening., 7. Al- 
most constant rain: flood. 8, Rain began at noon: all day. 9. Rain greater 
part of the day. 10. Very fine day: pleasant breeze. 11. Fine day, but 
cloudy. 12. Fair till noon, when it rained. 13. Showery. 14. Stormy: 
wind and rain all day. 15. Moderate, with frequent showers, 16. Fair till af- 
ternoon, when it rained. 17. Showery, with intervals fair. 18, Showery all 
day. 19, 20. Fine a.m.: showery p.m. 21. Fair and calm: distant thunder. 
22. Fine harvest day: slight shower r-m. 23. The same: norain. 24. Fine 
A.M.: raine.M. 25, Heavy rain morning: cleared up. 26. Frequent showers. 
27, 28. Continued succession of heavy showers. 29, Fine harvest day: one 
slight shower. 30. Calm: dry and sunny. 

Sun 25 days. Rain 24 days. Thunder 1 day. 

Wind south 11 days. South-east 5 days. South-west 34 days. West 5 days. 
West north-west 1 day. East 3 days. North § dey. Variable 1 day. 

Calm 8 days. Moderate 11 days. Brisk 3 days. Variable 1 day Strong 
breeze 5 days. Boisterous 2 days. 


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ANNALS OF NATURAL HISTORY. 


ee ileal 


X XIII.—On a Shell-bank in the Irish Sea, considered Zoolo- 
gically and Geologically. By Enwarp Forses, Esq. 


FOR the last seven years I have been in the habit of dred- 
ging on a scallop bank which lies about five miles off the coast 
of Ballaugh on the north-western side of the Isle of Man. My 
observations have generally been made in autumn, and have 
been regularly recorded as soon as the contents of the dredge 
had undergone examination. The number of species and the 
number of specimens, dead and living, were duly noted. down ; 
always of the mollusca, and generally of the zoophytes and 
radiata. The want of a sufficient acquaintance with the 
crustacea and annelides has prevented my keeping any me- 
morial of the numbers caught: the specimens were however 
generally preserved. From this bank I have obtained many 
new and rare animals, descriptions of some of which have been — 
published. The observing of such, however, was not the only 
object in view, but also the observing the manner in which 
the various species there living are associated together, and 
the changes which their habitat undergoes from time to time,—- 
points in zoology especially useful to the geologist. The re- 
sults, so far, of my researches in this mteresting locality, I 
propose in this paper briefly to communicate. 

The bank, properly so called, is about twenty fathoms be- 
low the surface of the sea, and is thickly covered with scal- 
lops (Pecten opercularis),among which the common Oyster, 
the Pecten maximus and P. varius, and many other shells are 
found in smaller numbers. The ground at the edge of the 
bank is gravelly, with few scallops, but many univalve shells, 
such as Murex erinaceus, Trochus zizyphinus, and Natica Al- 
deri. Between the bank and the shore, but nearer the latter, 
is a great tract of fifteen fathoms and under in depth, where 
great quantities of Laminaria and other marine plants grow, 
and which is covered with stones of considerable size, similar 

Ann. Nat, Hist. Vol.4. No. 24. Dec. 1839. R 


218 Mr. E. Forbes on a Shell-bank in the Irish Sea, 


to those which lie at low water on the shore, rolled masses of 
porphyry, syenite, granite, slate, and limestone. The neigh- 
bouring coast is sandy and marly, being in fact the edge, sea- 
wards, of a great tract of Pleistocene strata, forming the 
northern part of the island. The testaceous mollusca always 
abundant on the bank and on its edge are the following: 


Pecten opercularis. Buccinum undatum. 
distortus. Trochus zizyphinus. 
Modiola vulgaris. tumidus. 
Hiatella rugosa. Nassa macula. 
Chiton cinereus. Emarginula fissura. 
Lottia pulchella. 


All the above are constantly taken alive in great numbers, and 
dead specimens of them are also plentiful. The Buccinum un- 
datum is generally of a large size, and almost always the va- 
riety called striatum by Pennant. Almost equally common 
now with Emarginula fissurais Fissurella greca, but this was 
not the case five years ago. They appeared suddenly on the 
bank in considerable numbers and of a good size. I have 
never taken but one young specimen (in which state it is Pa- 
tella apertura of Montagu) though continually on the look out 
for them. 

On the neighbouring shore I have observed a similar case 
of a species appearing, which was not found there formerly. 
Four years ago I picked up two specimens, very much sea- 
worn, of Lottia testudinalis, on the shore at Ballaugh. At 
that time no living specimens of the species were to be found 
on our coast. Last year, however, to my surprise I found 
great numbers of very young Lottie under stones at low 
water. The year before I had taken a single full-grown ex- 
ample at a low spring tide, the first Manx living specimen I 
had ever found. This year (1839) the species is abundant; 
three or four under every stone at low water mark, well-grown, 
but not so large as the specimens common in Arran and the 
Hebrides. What is the cause of this sudden appearance of a 
species? Are the tides, or storms, or the locomotive powers 
of the molluscs themselves the means of transportation? Mol- 
lusca are much more active animals than is commonly sup- 
posed; and the smallest testacea, both bivalve and univalve, 


considered Zoologically and Geologically. 219 


delight in swimming. The naked mollusca of the genus 
Eolida swim with considerable rapidity, and are continually 
moving about when in their native element. Those who judge 
of these animals from seeing them on or under a stone at low 
water can form but a slight idea either of their beauty or ha- 
bits. There is another instance of the variable appearance of 
a molluse which I would mention. The spines of Spatangus 
purpureus (abundant on the bank) are some years covered 
with the parasitic Montacuta substriata, and at other seasons 
quite clear. 

The following species are always found on the bank, and 
occasionally in considerable numbers : 


Fusus antiquus. _ Venus cassina. 
corneus. fasciata. 
Bamfius. virginea. 

Nucula margaritacea, Kellia suborbicularis. 

Pectunculus pilosus. Velutina levigata. 


The Fusus antiquus is the small form of that shell called 
Fusus norvegicus by some authors. It seems confined to cer- 
tain spots on the bank. Most univalve shells of the siphono- 
stomatous tribes are gregarious and plentiful in confined lo- 
calities. Most of the above-mentioned species are gregarious, 
both univalve and bivalve. It is remarkable that young spe- 
cimens of Venus cassina and fasciata rarely occur, and when 
found are almost always dead shells, whilst of Venus virginea 
the only living specimens taken are young ones. In the lat- 
ter case it may be accounted for by supposing that Venus vir- 
ginea, being a borer in mud, buries itself deeper when full- 
grown than when young. Kellia suborbicularis lives in little 
families of all ages in the mud-filled cavities of dead Venus 
virginea. Along with it is occasionally associated Amphidesma 
tenue. : 


Always found on the bank, though never in great numbers, 
are the following : 


Ostreea edulis. Murex erinaceus. 
Pecten maximus. Capulus hungaricus. 
Lima fragilis. Natica Alderi. 
Pecten obsoletus. Venus exoleta. 
Cardium levigatum. ovata, 
Psammobia tellinella. Mya truncata. 


R 2 


220 Mr. EK. Forbes on a Shell-bank in the Irish Sea, 


The oysters are few, very large, muscular, and thick-shelled. 
I have rarely seen a half-grown oyster on this bank, and never 
avery young one. They seem to be the aged survivors of 
some former colony. Many of the shells are dead. Those 
of the living are generally perforated by that singular zoophyte 
the Cliona. Oyster shells, when they die, do not generally 
separate valve from valve: Venuses also remain in general 
with the hinge perfect: but Tellinze and Psammobie, as well 
as Pectens, go to pieces. Cardium levigatum is often found 
double, fresh-looking, of a large size, but always dead. The 
one or two young specimens (Cardium serratum of British au- 
thors) I have taken have been alive. Cardium elongatum and 
nodosum occasionally occur, but also dead, and these two spe- 
cies rarely remain double after death. Venus exoleta is rarely 
taken alive here, but the specimens are fine, large, and double. 
Young shells very rarely occur. Venus lineata is occasionally 
found: on the opposite coast of the island it abounds. Venus 
ovata is generally living. Mya truncata is found only dead 
and old; the valves generally separate. I feel sure the Mya 
Swainsoni is only the young of this species, and not of Mya 
arenaria as some have supposed. Wherever Mya truncata 
is found, there Mya Swainsoni is found; and all gradations of 
form may be observed from Mya Swainsoni to Mya truncata, 
passing through the Mya ovata of Turton, which is the half- 
grown shell. Look on the beak of a Mya truncata, and you 
will find a little Mya Swainsoni included. The beak of bivalves 
tells many tales against supposititious species, and is not yet 
attended to as it ought to be. 

Occasionally taken, and on the whole not uncommon, are 


Fusus muricatus. Chiton levis. 
Trochus Montacuti. - Pecten varius. 
Mactra elliptica. Solen ensis. | 
Tellina crassa. Amphidesma tenue. 


Lucina undata and Radula. 


Mactra elliptica is generally dead, double and perforated : 
Tellina crassa and Solen ensis always dead ; the former never 
double. Pecten varius occurs in considerable plenty some 
years, and at other times I do not find a single specimen. 


considered Zoologically and Geologically. 221 


The Chitons are never taken dead, probably falling to pieces 
after the animal’s death. The Lucine are always dead. 
Rare, but taken oftener than once, are 


Trochus tenuis. Chiton fuscatus. 
Fusus linearis. Lima inflata. 
Natica Montagul. tenera. 

Rissoa reticulata. Modiola marmorata. 
Dentalium entalis. Astarte scotica. 


Chiton fascicularis. danmoniensis. 


Modiola discors. 


All these species are taken alive. The Lima inflata is al- 
ways found in a very singular situation, imbedded in a mass 
of coralline fibres, broken shells and fragments of millepora. 
On breaking open the mass we find the Lima alive in the 
centre, in a neatly constructed nest, the sides regularly 
smoothed, somewhat resembling the bed of the Modiola im- 
pacta of the South seas. I am not aware that this very re- 
markable habit has ever been noticed. Neither Lima fragilis 
nor Lima tenera are found in similar nests. The two species 
of Astarte are found of nearly equal size, the characters of the 
margin distinct in each. I regard the thickening of the mar- 
gin in many species of this genus as specific in the full-grown 
shell. 

The following species have occurred only once. In the 
case of the three first, two specimens were taken of each, of 
the others one only. 3 


Eulima Donoyani. Pecten leevis. 
Pleurotoma purpurea. Criopus anomalus. 
Arca tetragona. Psammobia strigillata. 


The two Arce were taken together, imbedded in the mud 
filling the cavity of a large dead Modiola. They were alive. 
The Pecten was attached to the stalk of a coralline. The 
Psammobia was a dead valve. 

Naked mollusca are not uncommon on the bank, as might 


_ be expected, seeing that it is very fertile in specimens of An- 


‘ 


tennularia antennina, the favourite habitat of the smaller deep- 


water Nudibranchia. The most common is Melibea fragilis. 
Formerly Tritonia Hombergi abounded of a very large size, 


222 Mr. E. Forbes on a Shell-bank in the Irish Sea, 


but during the last three years I have only taken as many 
specimens. 

Animals of the class Echinodermata are abundant. Star- 
fish of the family Asterize abound on the bank, those of the 
family Ophiure on its edge. Among gravel Echinus suban- 
gularis is common: among the scallops Echinus esculentus. 
Spatangus cordatus is very rare, while Sp. purpureus is very 
common, as also Echinocyamus pusillus. Holothurie are ex- 
tremely scarce, two species only having been found, and but 
one specimen of each. 

Among the zoophytes, of late Plumularia myriophyllum has 
become common; and this year I have taken twenty speci- 
mens of the rare Thuiaria articulata, which I never observed 
in our sea before. Every dredging excursion I make I add to 
our local list of zoophytes and ‘naked mollusca, but seldom 
now find a testaceous mollusk new to the district. The inha- 
bitants of this bank belonging to the classes Mollusca, Echi- 
nodermata and Zoophytes, may be summed up as follows : 


Mo.tuusca........ Univalve Testacea ........ 27 
Bivalve Testacea.......... 44 
NEGIDFANChIA °. .4 bad cos alae 
Naked, Acephala oo s5.5 «<()- 4 

; ane 54 

EcuHInoperMATA ..Asteriade . ........... 14 
Behinide 6s 3.05.48 NGS 5 
Holothuriadee. 6.34474 2 

21 

LOOPBUTES. 5:6 4 - FAVOR OAOR 055s occa oe 11 
Asteroida.. :. ic4 (aig ee 1 
Helianthoida ............ 2 
Agoidiwida .;.. vie ae ee? S| 

28 


I shall now, before concluding, notice a few points wherein 
this review of the Ballaugh scallop-bank may be made to 
bear on Geology. 

Supposing the bank converted into a fossil bed similar to 
the shell-marls of the Pleistocene or newer Pliocene zra, let us 
see what effect such change would have on the Fauna. 

1. We should be able to form a pretty accurate idea of the 
testaceous mollusca inhabiting it, but not of the naked mol- 
lusca, as the latter would wholly disappear. 


considered Zoologically and Geologically. 223 


2. The relative proportions of univalve and bivalve testacea 
met with would depend on the part of the bed examined, 
whether its centre or its edge. 

3. The Chitons would scarcely be met with in consequence 
of their fragility and disorganization after death, though abun- 
dant on the bed in a living state. 

4. It is probable that a greater number of species would be 
met with in the fossil than in the recent bed, since the rarity 
of certain species would seem rather to depend on the paucity 
of individuals than on other causes ; and as the probability of 
meeting such would depend on the extent of surface examined, 
the inspection of a bed of shells high and dry would be more 
likely to reward our researches than an examination con- 
ducted in the deep sea by means of the dredge, which must 
always be partial. 

5. Of the Echinodermata we should probably find the re- 
mains of sea urchins only ; and as they generally fall in pieces 
like the Chitons, we should be obliged to determine the spe~ 
cies from fragments. I may mention that I find good specific 
characters in the spines alone of our native living species, and 
no doubt such is also the case with the fossil. 

6. Of Zoophytes we should find only the remains of a few 
species (having calcareous polypidoms) belonging to the order 
Ascidioidea. The greater number would probably altogether 
disappear. 

7. The larger Crustacea being very few, and the smaller 
very small and fragile, or else unpreservable in such circum- 
stances, though very numerous living, we should find but few 
traces of the presence of the tribe. 

8. The testaceous Annelides would remain, the soft tribes 
altogether disappearing. 

I have drawn up these observations chiefly in the hope of 
inducing others to present us with similar reviews of the shell- 
banks of our coast. Geology and zoology will gain as much 
by inquiring’ how our marine animals are associated together 
as by investigating genera and species, though the former sub- 
ject has as yet been but little attended to in comparison with 
the latter. | 


924 ‘Dr. Johnston on the British Nereides. 


XXIV.—Miscellanea Zoologica. By Grorce JOHNSTON, 
M.D., Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edin- 
burgh. With Plates VI. and VII. 


Tue Britisn NEREIDEs. 
[Continued from vol. iii. p. 295. ] 


2. PHyLuopoce*, Savigny. 

Cuar. Body linear-elongate, with numerous segments: head 
distinct: proboscis thick, clavate, the orifice encircled with 
papillary tentacula: no jaws: antenne frontal, small, four 
or rarely five: eyes two: tentacular cirri four on each side, 
unequal, setaceous: feet uniramous, overlapped with a leaf- 
like veined cirrus: bristles setaceous, slender, jointed: no 
branchie: posterior extremity terminated with a pair of short 
fleshy styles. 

Observations. The Phyllodoces are the most beautiful 
worms t+ among the Nereides, and are readily distinguished by 
the series of compressed foliaceous lamellze, originating imme- 
diately above the insertions of the feet, which garnish the 
sides of the body. The peculiar office of these organs is con- 
jectured to be respiratory {, but they also aid the animal in 
its progress through the water, for, following the motions 
of the feet and capable of being partially altered from a hori- 
zontal to a perpendicular position, they act as a bank of oars, 
and must be especially useful when the worm glides from a 
solid surface, and finds itself unsupported in the water. Hence 
the species are quick and lively, and swim with considerable 
ease§. We have found them buried occasionally in light sand 
between tide marks ; but they principally reside in deeper 


* The name of a sea-nymph, of the train of Cyrene.—Virg. Georg. iv. 
336. It is synonymous with the Nereiphylle of Blainville, but not with the 
Phyllodoce of Ranzani. A-genus of plants has been named Philodice, and 
to those who think it against the canon to give the same name to any sub- 
jects of Fauna and Flora, this might be a reason to prefer the nomenclature 
of Bainville. 

+ ‘‘ Virgines pulcherrime inter Nereides.’’— Otho Fabricius. 

+ Cuv. Reg. Anim. iii. p.202, It would be wrong to overlook their re- 
semblance to the branchiz in the larvee of the Ephemerides: see Reaumur, 
Hist. des Insect. vi. p. 468, pl. 45, tig. 2. 

§ “ Currit egregie; natare etiam valet Jainellis suis retroversis oblique 
sursum erectis.”—Fabr. Faun. Greenl. p. 298. 


Ann, Nat Hist. Vol. IV. PLVI. 


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British Naeedes. 


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British Neveides. 


CI. ad. nat. del? 


Dr. Johnston on the British Nereides. 225 


water amid the roots of corallines and the shells of mollusca 
and sedentary annelidans *. The body is much elongated and 
proportionably slender, composed. of a numerous succession 
of similar segments, narrowed gradually towards each extre- 
mity, more especially towards the posterior, which is termi- 
nated by two short fleshy styles. From the mouth is pro- 
truded at will a large proboscis, divided into two rings by a 
fold sometimes scarcely visible (Plate VI. fig. 3.); the under 
half on the whole roughened with fleshy papille arranged in 
rows, while a series of larger papille encircles the orifice. 
There seem to be two eyes only+, occipital in position and 
larger than in the allied genera. The front of the head is 
armed with four small simple antennz ; and on each side of 
the post-occipital ring there are two pairs of unequal tentacu- 
lar cirri, jointed at the base, and usually kept retroverted when 
the creature is at rest. The feet are rather small, uniramous, 
furnished with a single spine and a brush of very elegant, slen- 
der bristles, divided by a joint near the middle into two por- 
tions, of which the terminal one is as sharp as the finest needle. 
(Plate VI. fig. 6.) 

In the Phyllodoces the blood is not red as in the great ma- 
jority of the Annelides, but yellowish or colourless {. 


1. Ph. lamelligera, of a dusky-olive or sometimes oil-green ; 


the colour often confined to the margins of the segments. 
(Plate VI. fig. 1—6.) 


Nereis lamelligera, Turt. Gmel. iv. p.90. Turt. Brit. Faun. p. 135. 

Penn. Brit. Zool. iv. p.96. Bosc, Vers, i. p.173. Jameson in Wern: 
Mem. i. p.557.—Phyllodoce gigantea, Johnston in Zool, Journ. iv. p. 
53. 

Hab. Sometimes found at low-water mark, but mare common among the 
refuse brought up on the lines of the fishermen. » Deep water in the Frith 
of Forth, brought up by the oyster-dredges, Dr. Neidl. Common in Berwick 
Bay. 

Desc. Body 14 inches long, linear-elongate, somewhat com- 
pressed, tapered at the tail, smooth, dusky with blueish and 
greenish shades reflecting a metallic lustre, the branchial leaf- 


* Audouin and M. Edwards, Litt. de la France, i. p. 237. 
; According to Lamarck four, “ mais les postérieurs sont peu apparens.” 
—Anim. s. Vert. 2de édit. v. p. 556. 


+ Lam. Anim. s. Vert. 2de édit. v. p.556. Ann. des Sc. Nat. n. s, x. 
p. 197. : 


226 Dr. Johnston on the British Nereides. 


lets generally clouded in the centre with a dark undefined 
spot. Head quadrangular ; the proboscis covered, on its lower 
half, with fleshy papillz arranged in about twelve rows ; eyes 
black; antenne very short, conical. Segments very numerous, 
the post-occipital not larger than thefollowing, bearing on each 
side four rather short setaceous tentacular cirri, of which the 
two anterior are shorter than the posterior pairs, and under 
these there is a concealed rudimentary cirrus: fee? all alike, 
the superior cirrus forming an obliquely heart-shaped shortly 
stalked leaflet, veined, entire, smooth; the inferior cirrus is 
similar in structure and nearly so in figure, but it is about two- 
thirds less: between them is the proper foot, not very protu- 
berant, armed with a brush of bristles disposed in a somewhat 
semicircular manner, having a single straw-coloured spine in 
their middle: the bristles are slender, pellucid, jointed, the 
joint being cleft for the reception of the needle-like point: pos- 
terior extremity terminated with two very short fleshy styles. | 

This species is said to attain sometimes a size considerably 
greater than that of the specimen just described, but on this 
part of the coast one of 14 inches length is rare, while exam- 
ples varying from 4 to 8 inches are not uncommon, It is li- 
able to much difference in the tints of its colour, and the green 
often predominates, while in young individuals the colour is 
not diffused.over the segments, but confined to their margins, 
which are dusky, while the centre may be a pale yellow. In 
these also the spots in the centre of the branchial leaflets are 
usually well-marked. These are liable to be slightly affected 
in their form by the motion and contractions of the worm; 
and near the tail they always incline more to the oval than the 
heart-shape. The proboscis is either clavate or cylindrical, 
according to its degree of protrusion. The worm tints the 
spirits in which it is preserved with a greenish colour: the 
body becomes blueish- or greenish-grey, and the lamelle a. 
uniform olive. 


Plate VI. fig. 1. Phyllodoce lamelligera, of the natural size. Fig. 2. 
The head and proboscis, as this appears when half extruded, magnified. 
Fig. 3. The proboscis fully protruded. Fig. 4. Two segments magnified. 
Fig. 5. A lateral view of the foot reversed. Fig, 6, The setigerous papilla 
with its bristles and spine. 


Dr. Johnston on the British Nereides. 297 


2. Ph. maculata, the body marked with dark-brown spots 
in three rows;. branchial leaflets somewhat heart-shaped. 
Plate VII.* fig. 1—3. 


Nereis maculata, Linn. Syst. 1086. Mull. Zool. Dan. prod. p.217. Bose, 
Vers, i. p. 171.—Phyllodoce pulchra, Johnston in Zool. Journ. iv. p. 54. 
—The figure of Baster (Opusc. Subs. i. p. 14. tab. iv. fig. 1.) may pos- 
sibly be intended for a representation of this species. 

Hab. The shore at and within tide marks. Frequent on the coast of Ber- 

wickshire. 


Desc. Worm sometimes 4 inches long, slender, depressed, 
tapered a little towards each extremity, yellowish, with a row 
of dark-brown spots along the back, and the sides spotted 
with the same colour; ventral surface paler, with a median 
row of small rather distant spots, and a series of larger ones 
on each side at the base of the feet. Head bluntly pointed, 
armed in front with four white conical antenne ; eyes black. 
Post-occipital segment with four pairs of setaceous tentacular 
cirri, of which the two anterior are the shortest : on each side 
of the other segments there is an oval or somewhat heart- 
shaped branchial lamella, with a brown spot in its centre, and 
supported on a very short spotted stalk: beneath them are 
the feet, each foot consisting of two papillary processes, the 
superior furnished with a brush of retractile bristles of the 
usual character. Anal segment terminated with two short co- 
nical styles. 


3. Ph. bilineata, slender, pale greenish-yellow, with a con- 
tinuous dark line drawn down each side at the insertions of 
the feet. Plate VI. fig. 7—10. 

Nereis maculata? Fabr. Faun. Grenl. p.298. Turt. Gmel. iv. p. 88. 

Hab, On oysters from Preston-pans in the Firth of Forth. Berwick Bay, 
rare. 

Desc. From 2 to 3 inches long, very slender, serpentine, 
somewhat narrowed in front, more so towards the tail, of a 
pale greenish-yellow colour, with a dark continuous line along 
each side, rendered sinuous by the emarginations at the junc- 
tion of the segments, which are numerous and quadrangular. 
Head ovoid; eyes two, placed backwards; antenne four, un- 
equal, placed in a stellate fashion round the orifice of the 
mouth: ¢entacular cirri rather short, unequal: branchial la- 


* Pl. VII. will be given in the Supplement to the present volume. 


228 Dr. Johnston on the British Nereides. 


melle ovate or elliptical, smooth, veined; the inferior cirrus 
short and papillary, not extending beyond the apex of the foot, 
which is slightly emarginate and’armed as usual with a brush 
of slender jointed bristles and a single spine. — 


Prats VI. fig. 7. Ph. bilineata, natural size. Fig. 8. The head, Fig.9. 
The middle segments; and Fig. 10. The caudal extremity :—magnified. 


4. Ph. viridis, body roundish, of a uniform grass-green co- 
lour ; branchial leaflets lanceolate; antenne five. Plate VI. 
fig. 11—15. 

Nereis viridis, Linn. Syst. 1086. Mull. Zool. Dan. prod. 217, no. 2636. 
Fabric. Faun, Grenl. 297. Turt. Gmel. iv.88. Turt. Brit. Faun. 
135. Adams in Linn. Trans. v. 8. Bosc, Vers, i.171. Pen. Brit. 
Zool. edit. 1812, iv. 94.—Phyllodoce clavigera, dud. et Edw. Hist. Nat. 
du Litt. de la France, ii. 226. pl. 5a. fig. 9—13. 

Hab. Found on Fucus pinnatifidus, near Tenby (Pembrokeshire), 4dams. 
Berwick Bay abundantly, and I believe it to be common on most parts of 
the British coast. 

Desc. Worm from 2 to 3 inches long, elongate and narrow, 
slightly tapered towards the head, more so at the tail, of a 
uniform duck-green colour, paler on the ventral aspect. Head 
small, narrowest in front, but not pointed, the apex armed 
with four short conical antenne, and a smaller antenna is less 
perceptible on the vertex: eyes two*, occipital, dark brown : 
mouth with a large clavate proboscis, greenish, rough under 
the magnifier, with minute papillz, edentulous: post-occipital 
segment with four tentacular cirri on each side, twice the 
length of the branchiz, the anterior pair one half shorter than 
the others, conical, simple: segments very numerous, often 
defined by a line of deeper green, shorter than their breadth, 
smooth, convex dorsally: branchial leaflets (or superior cirri) 
lanceolate, slightly compressed, retroflexed, longer than the 
foot, which is furnished with a bundle of very slender ‘retract- 
ile acicular bristles and with a single spine: ¢ai/ terminated 
with two fleshy styles, similar to the leaflets, but rather larger. 

P. viridis lives under stones, or in the crevices of slaty 
rocks, between tide marks; but it abounds most near low-water 
mark, nor is it uncommon among the corallines and shells 
that are never left uncovered by the tide. It is an active spe- 


* Audouin and Edwards say four, disposed in a transverse line, and very 
small, but their figure shows two only. 


Dr. Johnston on the British Nereides. 229 


cies in water, moving forwards principally by the oared leaf- 
lets that extend from the sides; but on dry ground its move- 
ment is slow, and the leaflets are kept applied to the sides 
and brought somewhat under the body. When kept ina 
vessel of sea-water, deprived of food, the green colour becomes 
less intense, and allows us to trace a darker intestine down 
the centre of the body. When specimens are put into spirits 
they give out a copious green liquor and tinge the spirit 
deeply. Immersed in fresh water the worm is evidently pained, 
but is not killed so instantaneously as some other marine 
worms are, and in dying does not separate and break in pieces. 

I have not hesitated to refer this species to the Phy. clavi- 
gera of Audouin and Edwards, although some slight differ- 
ences may be traced in our figures; for some experience has 
brought me to believe that, in comparing figures which have 
been made under the magnifier, we are not to look for an ex- 
act resemblance between them. I have seen figures drawn 
by the same individual and from the same objects at some- 
what distant periods, but with every desire to be accurate, 
between which the discrepancy was greater than could have 
been at first imagined. So also I have not expressed any 
doubt of their species being identical with the Nereis vi- 
vidis of Otho Fabricius, for the only distinction pointed out 
by Audouin and Edwards between them is the absence of the 
odd antenna in the latter, and this is only inferred to be the 
case from the silence of the Greenland naturalist. But it is 
no imputation on the acknowledged accuracy of Fabricius to 
believe that this organ may have escaped his notice; for, even 
after having been made aware of its existence, I have some- 
times found that it was no easy matter to bring it into view 
and make it perceptible to others. : 

Pirate VI. fig. 11. P. viridis, of the natural size. Fig. 12. The head and 
anterior segments, magnified. Fig. 13. ‘The head and proboscis extruded. 


Fig. 14, The middle segments seen from below. Fig. 15. The caudal ex- 
tremity. 


3. PsAmMaTHE, Johnston. 


Cuar. Body scolopendriform: head small: eyes four, in 
pairs: antenne four, short, unequal, biarticulate: proboscis 
thick and cylindrical, its aperture encircled with a series of 


230 Dr. Johnston on the British Nereides. 


papillary tentacula, edentulous: tentacular cirri four on each 
side, unequal: feet uniramous, bifid at the apex; the dorsal 
cirrus elongate, filiform, jointed; the ventral one short: tail 
with two filiform styles. 

Obs. This genus, which I have named in honour of the 
daughter of Nereus and Doris, will take rank, as it appears to 
me, between Scyllis and Hesione. It differs from the first in 
the number and structure of the antenne, in the form of the 
head, and in the arrangement of the eyes ; and from the latter 
in the form of the body (which in this family is an important 
character), and in the structure of the proboscis, which in He- 
sione is very long and destitute of oral tentacula. 


1. Ps. fusca. Plate VII. fig. 4. 


Psamathe fusca, Johnston in Mag. Nat. Hist. ix. 15. fig. 1. 
Hab. The sea-shore within and between tide-marks. Berwick Bay oc- 
casionally. 


Desc. Worm scolopendriform, about an inch in length, 
slightly narrowed in front, tapered towards the tail, of a yel- 
lowish-brown or fuscous colour, and in the paler specimens a 
series of obscure spots may be observed down each side above 
the feet. Head small, square, entire in front: eyes four*, 
very distinct, occipital, placed in pairs: antenne four, short; 
biarticulate, frontal, the superior pair thicker and shorter than 
the inferior: mouth furnished with a thick cylindrical prodoscis, 
whose aperture is encircled with a close fringe of papulous 
tentacula: ¢entacular cirri four on each side, the inferior pairs 
shortest, filiform, jointed, and issuing from a bulged base: 
segments numerous, the anterior shorter and smaller than the 
others, which are nearly of the same length and breadth: 
Jeet much developed and prominent, all alike, conic, the apex 
emarginate or divided into two obtuse lobes, between which 
the bristles are protruded: superior cirrus elongate, filiform, 
jointed like a Conferva, scarcely moniliform, and arising from 
a swollen basilar joint: ventral cirrus short, not extending be- 
yond the foot, neither is it jointed: bristles retractile, strong, 
jointed near the top, the apical piece fixed on in a bayonet 
fashion ; they are collected into two small but unequal fasci- 


* I have seen specimens in which there were only two eyes: from their 
size a pair seemed to have coalesced. 


Dr. Johnston on the British Nereides. 931 


cles, having a rather small spine in the middle of each: anal 
segment truncate and terminated with two long styles similar 
to the tentacular cirri. 

This little worm is occasionally met with in Berwick Bay, 
lurking amid the roots of Conferve, corallines, and sponges. 
It advances through the water with considerable velocity and 
in a wriggling manner, pushing out and alternately withdraw- 
ing the bristles of its feet, and moving its long cirri in every 
direction. When the creature is active and first taken, the 
cirri have a somewhat moniliform appearance under the micro- 
scope, but as its energy declines this appearance becomes 
fainter ; they then appear jointed like a common Conferva, and 
after death even these joints fade away and the whole organ 
assumes a homogeneous structure. 


Prate VII. fig. 4. Ps. fusca, magnified. The line expresses the length of 
the specimen. 


4. lorpa*, Johnston. 


Cuar. Body linear-elongate: head small: eyes two, large: 
antenne three, cranial, filiform, submoniliform: fentacular 
cirrt none : proboscis ? segments numerous : feet 
undivided, each with a dorsal moniliform cirrus and two bun- 
dles of bristles, one of noha is very long: branchie none: 
styles ? 

Obs. This new genus is allied to Scyllis, from which it dif- 
fers in the number of eyes, in the absence of tentacular cirri, 
and in the appendages to the feet,—the Scyllis having two 
cirri to each and a single bundle of bristles,—while the Joida 
has one cirrus and two bundles of bristles. 


1. I. macrophthalma. Plate VII. fig. 5. 


Hab. Amongst corallines in deep water. Coast of Berwickshire. 


Desc. Worm about an inch long and a line in breadth, of 
a dark blue or purple colour, unspotted, linear-elongate, de- 
pressed, smooth. Head small but very distinct, pale, rounded 
in front, entire: eyes two, very large, lateral and nearly mar- 


* From "Ioesdy¢, blue or violet-coloured. ‘The name is given by Drayton 
to one of his Naiades :— 

“Toida, which preserves the azure violets.” 

Polyolbion, song 20. 


232 Mr. Walker on the British Chalcidites. 


ginal, prominent, dark brown : anfenne three, frontal, filiform, 
rather short, equal in size and equally distanced, porrect, 
faintly annular. Segments twenty-five in the specimen exa- 
mined, distinct, broader than long, the post-occipital and anal 
considerably less than the others and with proportionably 
small appendages: feet papillary, uniramous, each armed with 
a dorsal cirrus twice as long as the foot, obscurely moniliform, 
colourless, and with two bundles of bristles, the superior bun- 
dies consisting of short stout retractile bristles, jomted near 
the top, and with a spine in their middle ; the inferior bundles 
of very long setaceous unjointed hairs, which the worm has 
no power of withdrawing. The first pair of feet is destitute 
of this inferior bundle. The anal extremity was wanting in 
the only specimen I have yet met with, but from the repara- 
tion which had begun I believe it to be terminated by two 
styles similar to the dorsal cirrus. 


{To be continued. ] 


XXV.—Descriptions of British Chalcidites. By Francis 
Waker, F.LS. 


{Concluded from p. 32.] 


Genus Preroma.us, Swederus. 


Fem. P, disco proximus: corpus breve, convexum, parum nitens, scitis- 
sime squameum, parce hirtum : caput transversum, breve, thorace latius ; 
vertex latus; frons abrupte declivis: oculi mediocres, non extantes: an- 
tennz subclavate, thorace longiores ; articulus 1" gracilis, sublinearis; 2" 
longus, basi ad apicem latescens ; 3" et 4"° minimi; 5" et sequentes breves, 
approximati, usque ad 10 curtantes; clava longiovata, articulo 10° duplo 
longior : thorax ovatus: prothorax transversus, brevissimus: mesothoracis 
scutum longitudine paullo latius; parapsidum suture vix conspicue; scu- 
tellum conicum: metathorax transversus, mediocris, declivis, postice an- 
gustior: petiolus brevissimus: abdomen nitens, leve, latitudine paullo lon- 
gius, supra planum, subtus carinatum, thorace multo brevius paullo latius : 
pedes simplices, subzequales: ale anguste; nervus humeralis ulnari fere 
duplo longior, radialis ulnari paullo brevior cubitali longior; stigma mi- 
nutum. 


Sp. 1. Pter. Promulus, Fem. Viridi-cyaneus, abdomen purpureo-cupreum, 
antenne fusce, pedes flavo-fulvi, femora viridi-picea, ale fusce. 
Viridi-cyaneus: oculi et ocelli rufi: antennz fuscz ; articulus 1"* et 2" 


Mr. Walker on the British Chaicidites. 233 


fulvi: abdomen viride; discus purpureo-cupreus: pedes fulvi; cox cya- 
neo-virides; femora viridi-picea; genua flava; meso- et metatarsi flavi, 
apice fusci: ale fusce ; squamule picez ; nervi proalis fusci, metalis flavi. 
(Corp. long. lin. 1 ; alar. lin. 14.) 

Found near Edinburgh, by Dr. Greville. 

Mas. P. Favorino proximus: corpus longum, sublineare, convexum, pa- 
tum nitens, scitissime squameum, parce hirtum: caput transversum, breve, 
thorace paullo latius; vertex latus; frons abrupte declivis, vix impressa : 
oculi mediocres, non extantes: antennz graciles, filiformes, thorace multo 
longiores; articulus 1° gracilis, sublinearis; 2" subrotundus; 3"* et 4"s 
minimi; 5"* et sequentes longi, lineares, usque ad 10¥™ curtantes; clava 
longifusiformis, articulo 10° plus duplo longior : thorax longiovatus: protho- 
rax transversus, brevissimus: mesothoracis scutum longitudine vix latius ; 
parapsidum suture vix conspicue; scutellum prominens, fere conicum : me- 
tathorax transversus, sat magnus, declivis, postice angustior: petiolus bre- 
vissimus: abdomen depressum, lzeve, nitens, basi ad apicem latescens, tho- 
race paullo longius et angustius : pedes graciles, simplices, subzequales: alze 
‘mediocres ; nervus humeralis ulnari fere duplo longior, radialis ulnari multo 
longior, cubitalis radiali multo brevior ; stigma minutum. 


Sp. 2. Pter. Varro, Mas. Cyaneo-viridis, abdomen cupreo-purpureum 
fulvo-maculatum, antenne nigre, pedes lutei fusco-cincti, ale limpide. 

Cyaneo-viridis: oculi et ocelli rufi: antenne nigre; articuli 1"* et 2" 
virides: abdomen cupreo-purpureum, ante medium fulvo obsolete macula- 
tum: pedes lutei; coxee virides; femora fusca, apice flava; tarsi apice 
fusci; mesotibiz fusco cincte; metatibize fusce ; protarsi fulvi: ale lim- 
pide ; squamule picee; nervi proalis fusci, metalis flavi. (Corp. long. lin. 
1}; alar. lin, 24.) 

Found near Edinburgh, by Dr. Greville. 


Genus Encyrtvus, Dalman. 


Mas. E. clavicorni proximus: corpus breve, crassum, latum, convexum, 
scitissime squameum, rude punctatum, parum nitens, parce pubescens: ca- 
put transversum, breve, thorace non latius; vertex latus; frons abrupte de- 
clivis, non impressa: oculi mediocres, non extantes: antenne clavate, 
crassz, ad os insertze, thorace longiores; articulus 1"° basi ad apicem lates- 
cens; 2"° longicyathiformis; 3"° et sequentes breves, usque ad 8¥™ lates- 
centes; clava longiconica, articulo 8° multo latior et triplo longior: thorax 
.sublinearis, latitudine duplo longior: prothorax transversus, brevissimus: 
mesothoracis scutum longitudine multo latius; parapsides scuto in unum 
confuse ; paraptera fere inter scutum et scutellum convenientia; scutellum 
magnum, longiobconicum: metathorax transversus, parvus : abdomen obco- 
nicum, planum, nitens, leve, fere glabrum, quasi sessile, thorace multo bre- 
vius vix angustius; segmentum 1¥™ maximum, 2¥™ et sequentia brevissima : 
pedes validi ; mesopedum tibiz long apice crasse et spinigerz, tarsi lati : 
alze mediocres ; nervus humeralis costz dimidio brevior, cubitalis sat longus, 
ulnaris et radialis nulli. 


Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. 4. No. 24. Dee. 1839. * 


234 Mr. Walker on the British Chalcidites. 


Sp.1. Enc. Nicippe, Mas. Viridi-eneus cyaneo-varius, abdomen cupre- 
um, antenne nigre, pedes fulvi, ale limpide. 


Viridi-zneus: oculi et ocelli rufi: antenne nigre; articulus 1% fulvus, 
2"8 fuscus: mesothoracis scutum cyaneo-viride: abdomen cupreum: pedes 
fulvi; coxee zene; ungues et pulvilli fusci : alee limpide ; squamule pices ; 
nervi fulvi. (Corp. long. lin. 1; alar. lin. 13.) 

September, Northumberland, found by Dr. Greville. 


Genus Tuysanus, Walker. 


“Corpus elongatum. Antenne quasi 3-articulate articulo 3 lineari-elon- 
gato. Ale longe ciliate. Nervus subcostalis abrupte terminatus apice non 
deflexus. Tarsi medii longissimi. 

‘‘ Corpus lineare subdepressum. Caput oblatum. Antenne prope os in- 
sertze (6 articulate ?) (9 articulate?) articulus 1" linearis radicula gracili ; 2" 
brevior, obconicus, sequentes tres brevissime annuliformes vix conspicui; 3“* 
(ex analogia trium locum implens) precedentibus conjunctim longior, mari 
duplo longior, linearis compressus subnudus. Collare antrorsum attenua- 
tum. Suture parapsidum inconspicue. Scutellum obtusum. Abdomen 
subsessile oblongum dorso deplanatum (plica elevata acuminata per basin 
protracta); segmentis subzequalibus ; fem. longius, apice acuminatum ; sub- 
tus carinatum, rima infera ad } longitudinis protracta. Terebra recondita. 
Ale plumato-ciliate, ulna crassiuscula coste medium superante et abrupta. 
Pedes tarsis longis tenuibus, mediis longissimis. 

“Sp. 1. Th. ater. 

“ Niger nitidus verticis margine, fronteq. media rufis ; verticis macula albi- 
cante prope utrumque oculum. Antennz ochracez articulus 1° 2° obscu- 
rioribus. Pedes ochreo-fusci, geniculis tarsisque pallidioribus. Ale hya- 
linze nervo fusco, fascia media effusa infumata. (Corp. long. lin. $; alar. 
lin. 3.)”—Haliday. 


Genus Evtoruus, Geoffroy. 


« Eulophus alee, Mas. Obscure viridi-zenéus, scutello cupreo, abdomine 
nigro-viridi basi znescente. Antenne fusce, scapo nigro-viridi, articulis 
8° 4° 5° basi ramum validum pectinatum emittentibus : ramus interior illis 
articulis conjunctim equalis: articuli sequentes coarctati clavam lanceolatam, 
articulos 4"™ et 5¥™ conjunctim longitudine equiparantem, sed multo cras- 
siorem, fingentes; 6"* hujus clave dimidium occupat, 8" apice spinula par- 
va. Metathorax longitudine et latitudine subzequalibus, apice parum atte- 
nuatus; reticulato-rugulosus, carinula media levi, lateralibus nullis. Peti- 
olus brevis validus, obscure eneus, sublzevis, } coxarum posticarum equi- 
parans. Pedes validi: antici flavi tarsis subfuscis: posteriores flavi, tibia- 
rum et tarsorum apice late, femoribus mediis medio, posticis basi demta 
fuscis. Coxz nigro-virides. Tarsi breves. Tibize posteriores subsinuate. 
Ale obscure hyalinz, nervis dilute fuscis; radio pallidiore, breviusculo, 
subarcuato, angulum acutissimum fingente. Long. vix 1 lin. 

“ Clifden, July, 1839.” —Haliday. 


Mr. Walker on the British Chalcidites. 935 


Genus Entepon, Dalman, 

Mas. E. Cydoni proximus: corpus convexum, nitens, scitissime squa- 
meum, parce hirtum: caput transversum, brevissimum, vix thoracis lati- 
tudine; vertex latus; frons impressa, abrupte declivis : oculi mediocres, 
non extantes: ocellus medius perparum antepositus: antenne filiformes, 
graciles, thorace longiores ; articulus 1"* longifusiformis ; 2"* cyathiformis ; 
3"8, 4"5, et 58 lineares, discreti; clava gracilis, attenuata, acuminata, arti- 
culo 5° longior et angustior: thorax ovatus: prothorax brevissimus, supra 
vix conspicuus, antice angustus: mesothoracis scutum longitudine multo 
latius ; parapsidum suture bene determinate ; scutellum subovatum : meta- 
thorax mediocris, transversus: petiolus brevissimus: abdomen sublineare, 
planum, leve, thorace multo brevius et angustius ; segmentum 1%™ maxi- 
mum; 2%™ et sequentia brevissima: pedes graciles, simplices, subzequales : 
alee latee; nervus ulnaris humerali multo longior, radialis brevis, cubitalis 
adhuc brevior. 


Sp. 1. Ent. Hersilia, Mas. _Viridis cyaneo-cupreo et purpureo varius, 
antenne nigre, pedes fulvo-flavi, femora viridia, ale limpide. 


Viridis : caput aureo-viride: oculi et ocelli rufi: antenne nigre ; arti- 
culi 1"* et 2"8 virides: abdomen cupreum, basi aureo-viride: pedes flavi; 
coxe virides; trochanteres fusci; femora viridia, apice flava; tarsi fulvi; 
protarsi fusci; ale limpide ; squamule picez ; nervi proalis picei, metalis 
fusci. (Corp. long. lin. 3—#; alar. lin. 14—1}.) | 

Var. @.—Thorax cyaneo-viridis: mesothoracis scutellum cupreum : tibiz 
fulvee ; tarsi obscuriores. 

Var. y.—Mesothoracis scutellum purpureo-cupreum : abdomen basi cy- 
aneum: tibize fulvee. 

Found by Dr. Greville near Edinburgh, and during September in North- 
umberland. 

‘“* Entedon rutilans, Mas. Rubro-aureus. Abdomen convexius, dimidio 
anteriore albida, basi summa fusco-zeneo. Antenne 8-art. moniliformes, ar- 
ticulis 1°, 2° fuscis, reliquis fusco ferrugineis pilosis; 2"* major 3°. Stemma- 
ticum valde elevatum. Genz pone oculos villose late. Metathorax apice, 
pone carinam transversam bis-arcuatam producto-attenuatus, petioli insertio- 
nem amplectens. Pedes flavidi, coxis cyaneo-viridibus, unguibus fuscis. 

“ Entedon gemmeus, Mas. Purpurascenti-ruber. Abdominis segmentum 
2um macula media albida. Antenne 7-articulate fusce, 2° et 3° subzequa- 
libus, annello interjecto: 6° et 7° subeconnatis. Genze angustiores. Meta- 
thorax apice, sub carina transversa gibbula, breviter deflexus in petioli in- 
sertionem. Pedes albidi, coxis fusco-zneis, tarsis posterioribus apice fuscis. 

“‘ Variat, femoribus posticis basi fusco-lineatis.’”’— Haliday. 


Genus Cirrospitus, Westwood. 

Fem. C. Verieni proximus: corpus sublineare, convexum, nitens, leve, 
fere glabrum : caput transversum, brevissimum, thorace angustius ; vertex 
Jatus ; frons impressa, abrupte declivis : oculi mediocres, extantes : antennez 
subclavate, graciles, medio frontis insert; articulus 1"* gracilis, subline- 


$2 


236 Dr. Schleiden on the Anatomico-physiological 


aris ; 2"* basi ad apicem latescens; 3"° et sequentes lineares ; 4"° 3° brevior, 
5° longior ; clava fusiformis, articulo 5° paullo latior et duplo longior : tho- 
rax ovatus: prothorax transversus, brevissimus: mesothoracis scutum uni- 
‘ sulcatum, fere planum, longitudine paullo latius; parapsidum suture re- 
mote, optime determinate; scutellum subrotundum, bisulcatum: meta- 
thorax transversus, brevis: petiolus brevissimus: abdomen ovatum, supra 
planum, subtus carinatum, apice acuminatum, thorace paullo longius et la- 
tius : pedes graciles, simplices, subzequales: ale late ; nervus ulnaris hu- 
merali duplo longior, radialis nullus, cubitalis sat longus ; stigma minutum. 


Sp. 1. Cirr. Teride, Fem. Nigro-cupreus, antenne picee, pedes fusco- 
Sulvi, femora nigro-cuprea, ale limpide. 

Nigro-cupreus: oculi et ocelli rufi: antennze picez ; articuli 15 et 2"5 ni- 
gri; pedes nigro-cuprei; trochanteres picei; genua flava; metatibiz apice 
fulvze ; mesotibize fulvee, fusco cincte ; propedum tibize fulve, tarsi fusci ; 
meso- et metatarsi fusci, basi fulvi: ale limpide; squamule picez ; nervi 
proalis fulvi, metalis flavi. (Corp. long. lin. 1; alar. lin. 25.) 

Found by Dr. Greville, near Edinburgh. 

fem. C. Sotadi aftinis? corpus angustum, convexum, obscurum, scitissime 
squameum parce hirtum: caput transversum, breve, thorace paullo latius ; 
vertex latus; frons abrupte declivis: antenne graciles, extrorsum cras- 
siores, thorace paullo longiores; articulus 1" sublinearis ; 2° Jongicyathi- 
formis ; 3°, 4"°, et 5"° lineares, subequales; clava longifusiformis, acumi- 
nata, articulo 5° plus duplo longior: thorax ovatus: prothorax transversus, 
brevis : mesothoracis scutum longitudine paullo latius; parapsidum suture 
optime determinate; scutellum subrotundum: metathorax transversus, 
mediocris: petiolus brevissimus: abdomen fusiforme, leve, nitens, supra 
depressum, subtus carinatum, apice attenuatum et acuminatum, thorace an- 
gustius et multo longius ; latera subcompressa : pedes simplices, subzequales : 
ale mediocres; nervus ulnaris humerali multo longior, radialis nullus, cu- 
bitalis brevis. 

Sp. 2. Cirr. Brunchus, Fem. <Ater, abdomen. nigro-cupreum, antenne 

picee, pedes flavi, femora nigra, ale limpide. 

Ater: oculi et ocelli rufi: antennz pice, basi nigre: abdomen nigro- 
cupreum: pedes flavi; cox nigre; trochanteres picei; femora nigra; 
tarsi apice fusci: alz limpide ; squamule picee ; nervi proalis fusci, me- 
talis flavi. (Corp. long. lin. 3; alar. lin. 14.) 

Found by Dr. Greville, near Edinburgh. 


XXVI.—Hints on the Anatomico-Physiological Differences in 
the Organization of Stems. By Dr. M. J. ScHuEIDEN.* 

I nAve been constantly surprised in reading the numerous 

controversies on the differences between monocotyledonous 

and dicotyledonous stems, to find that, in general, they con- 


* Translated from Wiegmann’s Archiv, part 3, 1839. 


differences in the Structure of Stems. 237 


tain only comparisons between the so-called woody trunks of 
palms, and those of the dicotyledonous forest trees of our 
zone, the consideration being for the most part overlooked, 
that things wholly dissimilar, and which will not admit of 
comparison, are thus compared. The palm-stems, for ex- 
ample, originate from the undeveloped interfoliar parts, but 
our dicotyledonous woody stems from the developed parts ; 
and this distinction is so very essential for plants with nu- 
merous series of woody bundles, that the stalk of a pink, and 
a culm of grass, do not differ so much as the latter and the 
stalk of abulb. It appears to me, that even if the most cor- 
rect, certainly not the shortest expression, has yet been found 
for the distinction between the two great divisions of the 
Phanerogamia, with reference to the structure of their stems, 
notwithstanding all the researches of the most eminent na- 
turalists. In stems in general the following differences occur, 
which rest on the development, number and arrangement, 
direction and structure of the vascular (woody) bundles. 

1. The vascular bundles, whose development always proceeds 
from the interior to the exterior, are either limited or unlimited 
in their growth. Commonly every vascular bundle consists 
of three different physiological parts, namely of an extremely 
delicate, rapidly developing tissue, of most tender texture, in 
which new cells are continually generated; these are depo- 
sited in various configurations, in two different directions, viz. 
towards the exterior, in the shape of a peculiar, very thick- 
walled cellular, more or less elongated tissue (lider); and to 
the interior, in gradual succession (subjected to the gradual 
expansion in length of the part), in the form of annular, spi- 
ral, reticulate, and porous vessels ; and of ligneous cells, the 
latter either uniform, or differing from each other, forming the 
wood, properly so called. Up toa certain period the deve- 
lopment of the vascular system in the Monocotyledons and 
Dicotyledons proceeds uniformly ; but then, in Monocoty- 
ledons the active formative cellular tissue, with delicate 
walls, suddenly changes ; the partitions of the cells become 
thicker, their generating power ceases, and, when all the 
surrounding cells are fully developed, they also assume a 
form entirely peculiar, and cease to convey gum, mu- 


238 Dr. Sehleiden on the Anatomico-physiological 


cus, &c., in short all thick formative saps. At the period 
when the development of these cells ceases, they are called 
by Mohl vasa propria. From this cause all further deve- 
lopment of these vascular bundles is rendered impossible, 
and therefore I call them terminated, or “ limited.” In Dico- 
tyledons, on the contrary, this tissue, which is then termed 
cambium, Auct., couche régénératrice, Mirb., retains, during 
the whole lifetime of the parts of the plant, its vital forma- 
tive power ; it continues to develope new cells, and by means 
of them increases the mass, as they go on adding partly 
to the exterior portion (liber), and partly to the interior 
(wood), to infinity. This happens according to the climate 
and nature of the plant, either pretty continuously, as for 
instance in the Cactee*, or by strong periodical advances 
alternating with almost entire cessations, as in our forest trees. 
In the latter, one may be convinced by perseverance and 
delicate manipulation, that the stem forms a continuous tis- 
sue, from the pith to the bark, in all periods of its life, and 
that the bark is never separated from the stem; what has 
been so considered is only a rent produced by manipulation 
of the delicate formative tissue, which is in a great measure 
present, even during the winter, constituting the foundation 
of the new annual zones, although compressed, and filled 
with gum, starch, &c. In the spring, being expanded and 
swollen by the new current of sap, it is deprived of its con- 
tents by their solution. In all cases we may convince ourselves 
that the new cellular tissue is always formed within that 
already existing, and, in fact, in primitive cells, by means of 
cytoblasts, in the same manner as I have already previously de- 
monstrated with regard to other cells. Indeed, the young cells 
are constantly formed on the upper or lower (I regret that I 
have not yet paid sufficient attention to this point,) end of the 
elongated primitive cells, and by means of their expansion 
lengthwise grow through them, and their contact with the 
other end of the cell appears to call into existence a new cell 


* For this reason the observation of the whole process is most easy in ‘the 
Cactuses. In general they have also remissions of growth, which do not 
altogether correspond with the annual impulses, although they produce 
similar appearances. The cause is yet wholly unknown. 


differences in the Structure of Stems. 239 


at the corresponding place in the next succeeding cell. It is 
only since the autumn of 1837 that I have submitted this pro- 
cess to a proper radical research, and must beg to correct every- 
thing that I formerly said in ‘ Miiller’s Archiv, 1838* (Con- 
tributions to Phytogenesis,) in accordance with my views at 
that time respecting the origin of cambium, although in the 
explanation I have there given of the function of woody stems 
no essential alteration is requisite. 

This difference between limited and unlimited vascular 
bundles affords the only universal distinction between Mono- 
cotyledons and Dicotyledons. In the annual Dicotyledons 
the vascular bundle, checked in its further development by 
the death of the plant, has, it is true, in so far some similarity 
to the Monocotyledons ; yet, with close research, the difference 
is distinctly apparent, for the formative layer constantly re- 
tains to the last moment its generating power; and upon 
this, in fact, is founded the lignification of annual plants, 
arising from a consequent prevention of the flowering, e. g., 
in Reseda odorata and Cheiranthus annuus. For those who 
find an advancement of science solely and wholly in the em- 
ployment of new terms, and who are tired of the good old 
division into Monocotyledons and Dicotyledonst, 1 propose, 
instead of the nonsensical division into Endogens and Exogens, 
the denomination of Teleophytes for Monocotyledons, and 
Synechophytes for Dicotyledons, founded on the preceding 
observations. 

2. The second distinction among the various organiza- 
tions of stems, is founded on the number and arrange- 
ment of the vascular bundles, namely, whether only one 
simple circle, or several concentric circles, are present. In 
the first case they generally approach sooner or later close to 
each other, and thus form a hollow closed cylinder, which is 
only traversed by greater or smaller bands of the compressed 
parenchyma, from within outwards: these bands are called 


* A translation of this Memoir appeared in the 6th Part of Taylor’s Scien- 
’ tific Memoirs, selected from foreign transactions, &c. Enpir. 

+ This division, nevertheless, remains the only correct one, because it 
depends on the development; and its value is not even lessened by some of 
the Conifera, since the essential character consists not in the number, but in 
the verticillation of the cotyledons. 


240 Dr. Schleiden on the Anatomico-physiological 


medullary rays. This closing together does not always take 
place in annual stems, and consequently there exists no differ- 
ence except the nature of the vessels between the woody frame- 
work, for example, of Tropeolum majus (unlimited vascular 
bundles), and the creeping stem of Polypodium ramosum, (li- 
mited vascular bundles). Only where a defined boundary is 
produced by a single circle of nearly approximating bundles, 
can there be any question of bark and pith. There is, ori- 
ginally, present everywhere only a uniform parenchyma, and 
it is only after the development of a part of this into vascular 
bundles, that the diversity arises, of inclosed substance (pith), 
and external substance (bark); while the medullary rays, 
which may be traced through all gradations, from narrow la- 
minze to a continuous communicating parenchymatous mass, 
traversed merely by some threads of vascular bundles, still 
preserve the connexion. The dispute about bark, or no bark, 
in Monocotyledons, is therefore quite foolish, either an empty 
contention about words, or grounded on the assertion of some- 
thing decidedly false. Meanwhile, that which has by many 
people been called the bark of the Monocotyledons, is very 
different in its origin, structure, and physiological import- 
ance, from the bark of the Dicotyledons. 

The case of a simple circle of closed vascular bundles only 
occurs, so far as I know, in the stems of Dicotyledons. In 
Monocotyledons, on the contrary, it is, I believe, the regular 
structure of the roots. 

The other case, of several concentric circles of vascular 
bundles, exists throughout the Monocotyledons, and is to be 
found among the Dicotyledons in the Piperacee, Nyctaginee, 
Amaranthacee, Chenopodee, and perhaps in many others, the 
structure and formation of whose stems are not at present 
well known. Meanwhile the chief distinction between Mo- 
nocotyledons, namely that of the closed or unclosed vascular 
bundles, comes here into action, and gives rise to an en- 
tirely peculiar woody structure in the before-named Dicotyle- 
dons. Dr. Robert Brown first drew my attention to this in 
the stem of a Pisonia, (unknown Burmese tree, in Lindley’s 
‘Introduction to Botany’, p. 80, fig. 40.). Now, as all these 
vascular bundles, arranged in various circles, continue to be 


differences in the Structure of Stems. 241 


developed until at last they almost form a continuous mass, 
the parenchyma which previously separated them is thereby 
compressed into some small insulated patches, that appear 
scattered through the completely formed wood in little narrow 
vertical bands, which, in regard to their origin, may rightly 
be termed vertical medullary rays. On the outside of these 
cords are found in the wood very frequently spiroide still un- 
altered, forming the commencements of the outer vascular 
bundles. I have pursued the entire development of this pecu- 
liar structure in two species of Pisonia, in Amaranthus viridis, 
Beta Cicla, Atriplex hortensis, Chenopodium Quinoa, &c. Many 
other plants of the families mentioned, such as the Piperacee, 
which I could only examine under certain circumstances, 
prove, by their structure, that this peculiarity is quite general 
in those families. 

A curious form of wood probably belongs here, (and per- 
haps the whole family of the Crassulacee), but I had no op- 
portunity of following up the history of their development*. 
In the old stem of an undetermined Hcheveria I found, for 
instance, an entire uniform mass of wood, formed of prosen- 
chymatous cells without vessels, and scattered-therein small 
vertical cords of a very delicate-walled parenchyma, in the 
‘midst of which ran spiral vessels, most of which might still be 
unrolled. 

3. A third point of importance, arising from the essential 
differences of stems, is the relation of the axis to the parts 
given off from its periphery, the leaves and buds. Hereto be- 
long a multiplicity of phenomena. 

A. A phenomenon common to all Dicotyledons, is the 
formation of nodes. A lateral organ in fact originates uni- 
versally among Dicotyledons only from the nodes ; the part so 
called in botanical descriptions is not here intended (for that 
is mostly a crude conception of a somewhat isolated form of 

* I beg here expressly to observe that the earlier stages were not at my 
disposal, and protest solemnly against the reproach of having overlooked 
anything, if the development should give any other result. I should not no- 
tice this if Meyen (in his Annual Report for 1838, p. 44) had not so ground- 
lessly charged me with error, though I had explicitly declared that I had 
been unable to examine the earlier stages, and where, moreover, the history 


of the development shows that my supposition on the signification of the 
questionable formation was correct. 


242 Dr. Schleiden on the Anatomico-physiological 


appearance), but a peculiar arrangement of the vascular 
system which may always be demonstrated by anatomy. For 
there is formed from two or more vascular bundles by sim- 
ple superposition on one another, or by anastomotic ramifica- 
tions, a loop, ansa, and only from this plexus do the peripheri- 
cal organs receive their vascular bundles. From this relation, 
then, in connexion with the formation of the horizontal me- 
dullary rays, results infinite variety in the woody body. This 
ansa is, at the same time, especially destined to place the 
parenchyma of the lateral organs in connexion with the pith 
(or, rather, the living parenchyma) of the axis. The size of 
the noose is therefore essentially dependent on the thickness 
of the base of the leaves or lateral buds, (or, rather, the re- 
verse). : 

In the Monocotyledons this formation of true nodes is 
probably far more rare, if indeed it occurs at all; for I am yet in 
doubt whether a real anastomosis of the vascular system takes 
place in the so-called nodes of the grasses, for the purpose of 
_ giving off bundles to the lateral parts. Thus much at least 
is certain, that in Monocotyledons the anastomosis of the 
vascular system decidedly takes place more rarely than in 
- Dicotyledons. If it could be ascertained that the above cha- 
racteristic formation of nodes nowhere occurred amongst the 
Monocotyledons, this would certainly afford a rigs and 
general distinction between them. 

In Acotyledons the decided dicotyledonous formation again 
occurs; and many unnecessary words would have been spared 
on the pretended difference in the stems of Ferns if the forma- 
tion from which it is said to deviate (viz. the dicotyledo- 
nous stem) had been studied, not in a limited consideration 
of the Oak or the Lime, but in the various types of the differ- 
ent families. I believe it would not be very difficult for me 
to demonstrate all the modifications of the woody tissue of 
ferns, which do not depend on the closing up of the vascular 
bundles, but only on number, situation and mutual combina- 
tion, as occurring in all essential points in the Huphorbiacee 
or the Caciee. 

B. In every case where vascular bundles go off to a peri- 
pherical organ, they must decussate with the subsequently 


differences in the Structure of Stems. 243 


originated parts, which are formed exteriorly to the point of 
departure. This is already evident without any examination, 
and is so far from being a peculiarity of growth of the Mono- 
cotyledons, that from this alone one might already have ven- 
tured with security to conclude the non-existence of the pre- 
tended Endogeneity. But it is most strikingly to be observed 
in the separated closed vascular bundles of the Monocotyle- 
dons; although exceedingly well also in other cases, as for in- 
stance in old Melocacti, Echinocacti, and Mammillarie. 

C. But here the most important circumstance is whether 
the interfoliar parts are longitudinally developed or not. In 
the first case all the new parts originating on the surface 
(whether it be new vascular bundles or the continued develop- 
ment of old ones) serve naturally to add to the thickness of the 
whole stem, without its length being in any way increased by 
these new parts. It is otherwise when the interfoliar parts 
remain undeveloped. Here, as far as I have hitherto been 
able to observe, this circumstance constantly occurs, that from 
the germinating plant, or the node in the act of formation, the 
impulse of growth, being unable to extend lengthwise, expands 
every following internode more and more in breadth until a 
certain period, so that every subsequent one projects somewhat 
beyond the earlier one, and thus converts the original lateral 
surface into an under surface. As the best example, I may here 
mention the development of bulbs, and of the Melocacti. This 
augmentation of the internodes continues only to a certain pe- 
riod, namely, till the plant has in this manner formed for it- 
self a sufficiently broad basis. From this time the new inter- 
node no longer expands itself beyond the old; andastem gra- 
dually increasing in height, but usually not increasing any 
further in thickness, originates through the continued deposi- 
tion of the interfoliar parts, resembling hollow cones, on one 
another. <A repetition of the gradual expansion of the inter- 
nodes just described occurs as an exception in the tumid forms 
of the palm stems. For the study of this form of stem in the 
Monccotyledons, I would recommend to those who have not 
palms at hand the Allium strictum and senescens, &c, as they 
are in reality palm stems in miniature. 

From this mode of formation there naturally follows in those 


244 Dr. Schleiden on the Anatomico-physiological 


plants with closed vascular bundles the arch-formed course 
peculiar to the vascular bundles of the peripherical parts, which 
is easily made evident by 
a diagram of the construc- 
tion of such a stem, as 
in the annexed Figure, 
where the dotted lines re- 
present the limits of the 
mass (the hollow cone) be- 
longing to each interfolial 
part, and the arrow de- 
notes the direction which 
does not exactly corre- 
spond to thedirection from 
within outwards in a deve- 
loped stem, but combines 
this and the other direc- 
tion from above downwards, each cone being at the same 
time a newly deposited part directed outwardly and a new 
internode added superiorly. Now every leaf (a) has originally 
its position on the apex (x) of the hollow cone, which ori- 
ginated contemporaneously with it, and in which those vas- 
cular bundles belonging to the leaves naturally proceed ob- 
liquely from the periphery inwards and upwards to the leaf, and 
consequently to the axis of the stem (x). From this position 
the leaf is now in consequence of the continued formation gra- 
dually pushed towards the periphery, which course its vascular 
bundles must follow, as they perforate all the succeeding cones 
just as a branch of one of our forest trees breaks through the 
subsequent annual zones; whence it results that the second 
portion of the arc is formed from within obliquely outwards 
and upwards. Now whether the arc is longer or shorter, or 
what is the same thing, more or less curved, depends princi- 
pally on the shape of the recently superposed cone, i. e. on 
the terminal shoot. The more acute the terminal bud the 
longer the curve, as in most of the Palms; and the flatter it is 
the shorter and more curved is the arc, as in most Monoco- 
tyledonous Rhizomes. 

It is, however, evident that we dare not make use of the 


differences in the Structure of Stems. 245 


curved course of the vascular bundles as a primary distinction 
between the Monocotyledons and Dicotyledons, for this is de- 
pendent on two other relations, that of the closed vascular 
bundles and the undeveloped internodes; consequently it 
would on the one hand be present in the Dicotyledons if they 
had closed vascular bundles, and on the other would not be- 
long generally to the monocotyledonous stem, but only to that 
with undeveloped internodes. 

D. Now from a combination of the circumstances related 
under A. and C. there originates in the simple closed circle 
of vascular bundles and proportionally large leaf-bases, for the 
closed vascular bundles, the form of the Fern-stem, and for the 
unclosed that of the Cactean stem: the latter repeats nearly 
all the relations of the Fern-stem, only always above the earth. 

4. In the dicotyledonous structure of stems many diversities 
still result from the hypertrophy of the pith, the bark, or both, 
as for instance in the Euphorbie, Cactee, many tubers, e. g. So- 
lanum tuberosum, and particularly also the Cycadee, the struc- 
ture of whose stem has only the most superficial resemblance 
to that of the Palms, and is certainly more nearly allied to that 
of the Fern stems, but differs essentially from them by the 
unlimited vascular bundles, and approaches far more to the 
Cactee. 

5. Lastly, the modification of the cells composing the 
woody bundles, whether originally or at a subsequent stage of 
development, differs extremely, much more indeed than hi- 
therto believed. The light wood of the Avicennie consists al- 
most wholly of porous vessels; the equally light and soft wood 
of Bombax pentandra consists almost entirely of parenchyma, 
spiral, circular and reticulate vessels, and rarely of prosen- 
chyma occurring in the exterior part of the annual rings. 
The wood of the Melocacti, Mammillarie and Echinocacti 
consists entirely of peculiar short broad thin-walled cells, 
terminating above and below in an obtuse conical form, with 
very thick annular or spiral fibrous cells (deposited on their 
narrow margin), like those which Meyen has represented in 
his ‘ Phytotomie’ of Opuntia cylindrica, where they occur, as 
in most of the Opuntia, though in less abundance, at the co- 
arctations of the joints. It is well known that in the Conifere 


246 Mr. H. O. Stephens on the Fungi 


and Cycadee the cells which form the wood develope uni- 
formly, and not as in many other kinds of wood separating into 
prosenchyma and vessels. In many plants the earliest spiral 
yessels of the medullary sheath, in consequence of the great 
longitudinal expansion of the cells, become changed into an- 
nular vessels, in which form they remain ; in other plants the 
spiral vessels do not show this tendency, notwithstanding the 
great extension they have to undergo ; they are then frequently 
elongated with their cell to such a degree that they appear 
only like a thread lying in an intercellular passage, and they 
are very frequently entirely reabsorbed. This may be beauti- 
fully observed in Opuntia monacantha, cylindrica, Mammil- 
laria simplex, Helleborus fetidus, &c. May not this be the 
reason why we in many cases no longer find genuine spiroides 
in the developed stem, even in the corona medullaris ? 


The study of the organization of stems is still a boundless 
field for careful research; so far as I know no one has yet 
given a true explanation of that frequent formation in the fa- 
mily of the Sapindacee, where in one stem we meet with se- 
veral centra for the formation of wood, only one of which oc- 
cupies the axis of the stem. Likewise very little that is satis- 
factory is known of the peculiar structure of the stem of the 
Phytocrene (Wall.), or of the analogous forms frequently oc- 
curring in the family of the Bignoniacee,—forms which can- 
not be described by words, for which reason I cursorily refer 
to Lindley, ‘ Introduction to Botany, p. 79, fig. 36, where a 


similar structure, stated to be from a Passiflora, is repre- 
sented. 


$$. 


XXVII.—On the Mycology of the neighbourhood of Bristol. 
By Mr. Henry Oxuery STEPHENS, 


To the Editors of the Annals of Natural History. 
GENTLEMEN, 


I po not know whether you will consider the following My- 
cological Notices of sufficient importance as to give them a 


of the Neighbourhood of Bristol. 247 


place in your Journal; but as the difficulties of this branch 
of botanical science are acknowledged by all, and the labourers 
are comparatively few, the smallest contributions may not be 
without value. I am not aware that any botanist has de- 
scribed the mycology of the neighbourhood of Bristol: at 
least Mr. Berkeley appears to have received no communica- 
tions from this quarter, as no mention is made of any in his 
portion of the ‘ English Flora.’ I have only mentioned spe- 

cies which appear to be most interesting, and some which I 

consider undescribed ; although in the latter particular I may 

be mistaken, as I have never seen the Systema Mycologica of 

Fries. | 

Agaricus phalloides, vaginatus, rubescens. Common in all the woods 
about Bristol. 

Ag. Cossus, Sow. _ Stapleton Grove, most abundant; growing in 
dense masses. The larger plants are four to six inches across. 
The odour is always strong. 

Ag. fulvus, Retz. Under birch trees, Leigh Wood, Sept. 1839. 

Ag. torminosus, Schaffn. Pileus of a beautiful strawberry colour, 
Leigh Wood. 

Ag. acris, Bolton. Leigh Wood, Sept. 1837. | 

Ag. uvidus, Fries. Stapleton Grove. Ag. Lysginus, Fr. Ditto. 

Ag. blennius, Fr. Woods; not uncommon. 

Ag. rufus, Scop. Leigh Wood, under birch trees. My specimens 
agree with the descriptions of Withering and Persoon in having 
a zoned pileus. 

Ag. flecuosus, Pers. Amongst bushes, Stapleton. 

Ag. infundibuliformis, Bull. 3. major. Stapleton Woods, &c. One 
of the latest autumnal Fungi, continuing to spring up until cut 
off by the frosts. 

Ag. giganteus, Sow. Not nearly so common as the preceding, and 
growing in more open situations, Leigh Wood. 

Ag. nebularis, Batsch. I am surprised at the confusion which existed 
with regard to this most distinct plant. Withering described it 
with sufficient exactness, and Bolton’s figure and account are 
distinct enough, although I have never seen the colour so pale as 
he has represented it. Grows on commons among furze-bushes. 

Ag. odorus, Bull. Leigh Wood, amongst moss in Sept. and Oct. 
The pileus is often of a whitish colour, the pale specimens fully 
as fragrant as the green ones. 

Ag. grammopodius, Bull. Grows in pastures in large rings. It is 


248 Mr. H. O. Stephens on the Fungi 


one of the earliest Fungi, appearing in June. Felton and Clifton 
Down. 

Ag. pelianthenus, Fr. Stapleton Grove, June 1888. My plant is 
exactly represented by Bolton, tab. 4. fig. 1. with the exception 
of the processes on the gills, which are like those of Ag. balani- 
nus, Berkeley, in Mag. of Zool. and Botany. 

Ag. fusco-purpureus, Pers. In ditches, among fallen beech leaves, 
Stapleton. 

Ag. tuberosus, Bull. Amongst moss without the tuber, Leigh 
Wood. 

Ag. Clavus, Bull. On dead grass stems, Stapleton. 

Ag. parasiticus. On the pileus of decaying Agarics, Leigh Wood. 

Ag. caulicinalis. On the roots of grass ; not uncommon. 

Ag. rondas, Fr. On dead bramble sticks. Stapleton Wood. 

Ag. Campanella, Batsch. 3. badipus. On the ground under fir trees, 
Durdham Down. Found during the whole year from spring to 
Christmas. 

Ag. fragrans, Sow. Amongst moss in most of the woods about 
Bristol. One of the latest of the autumnal Fungi. It is some- 
times scentless. 

Ag. myzacius species nova? Pleuropus. Pileus dimidiate and lobed 
olive brown, very slimy, paler towards the margin, extreme 
edge revolute and downy, substance fleshy, flesh white. Gills 
close, white, rather narrow, decurrent or acute behind, very irre- 
gular in length, forked, separating from the substance of the. 
pileus like the tubes of Boleti. Stem solid, white, truly lateral. 
Smell like Polyp. squamosus. 'The pileus varies from one to one 
and a half inch across. Two specimens grew close together 
on the turf, Durdham Down, July 1839, after a fortnight of 
very wet weather. 

Ag. rhodopolius. Shady woods, Nightingale Valley. 

Ag. repandus, Bull. Durdham Down. The pileus is sometimes of 
the deepest indigo, the plant differing in nothing else. 

Ag. phlebophorus, Ditm. In the hollow of an old hazel tree, Leigh 
Wood. 

Ag. griseo-cyaneus, Fr. Down and upland pastures, very abundant. 
The stem is frequently eccentric when young, and the odour 
powerfully aromatic, exactly like Melissa officinalis. 

Ag. chalybeus and columbarius. Abundant on every dry common in 
the autumn months.—Ag. pascuus. Common, but not so plentiful 
as the foregoing.—Ag. Sowerbii. A most abundant species ; 
our downs and dry pastures are completely strewed with it in 


of the neighbourhood of Bristol. 249 


the autumn. A most distinct and interesting species: the 
strong mousy odour and bright verdigris green stripe at once 
distinguish it. 


. torvus. Stapleton Grove ; perhaps not uncommon. 
. violaceus, Linn. In several places in the parish of Stapleton. 
. radicosus, Bull. Leigh Wood. Smell exactly like cherry laurel 


water. 


. adiposus, Batsch. Very rare. On an old ash, Redland. 
. sguarrosus, Mull. On trunks of various trees. Very com- 


mon. 


. mutabilis. Ona bank where a willow tree had been cut down. 


April. 


Ag. fastibilis. In clusters on an old ash tree, with a distinct veil. 

I should not have at first recognised this plant as a variety of Ag. 
fastibilis for the smell resembled Ag. melleus and the taste was plea- 
sant; but on keeping the specimens a few days, as the sporules 
ripened, the characteristic odour of Ag. fastibilis appeared; the 
sporules, too, exactly accorded in colour and figure. 


Ag. 


Ag. 


obscurus, Pers, Synop. p. 347. No. 163. Albertini and Schwein, 
Consp. p. 174. No. 504. It is singular this Agaric has not 
been described as British, as it is a very common species with 
us, growing on the naked soil in all the woods about Bristol. 
It is in many respects a remarkable plant, the odour is strong 
but pleasant, and when bruised the stem and pileus instantly 
turn a bright brick red. 

hirtus, species nova? Inocyba. Pileus white, with a shade of 
cinnamon towards the centre, about one inch in diameter, co- 
vered with hairy scales of a light cinnamon brown. Gills pure 
white, not numerous, adnexed of different lengths and rather 
broad. Stem about two inches high, attenuated upwards, tumid 
downwards, and again contracted towards the base, perfectly 
solid, striated, crooked, one eighth of an inch thick at the most 
swollen part, densely covered all over. with beautiful cinnamon 
scales, which stand out in a squarrose manner, giving to the 
plant a hispid feeling. Flesh of the stem and pileus white, 
tough and elastic, sporules ? odour none, taste pleasant. 
Nearly allied to 4g. plumosus, Bott., but differs in colour and 
habit! Grew under oak trees, amongst moss, Leigh Wood, 
Sept. 6, 1838. 


Ag. Loveianus, Berk. Is not this species described by Mr. Knapp 


Journal of a Naturalist, as Ag. surrectus, cum icone lignea? 


Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. 4. No. 24. Dec. 1839. T 


a) 


250 Mr H. O. Stephens on the Fungi 


Ag. medius, Schum.* Meadows in September, always after stormy 
weather. 

Cantharellus tubeformis, Bull. On stumps, Leigh Wood. 

Cantharellus? confluens, species nova? Densely crowded, so that 
the pilei frequently become confluent. _Pileus repand and lobed, 
quarter to half an inch in diameter. Stem half an inch in height, 
one-eighth in thickness, solid. Hymenium pruinose, with a few 
obsolete veins. The whole plant of a pale clay-coloured brown, 
scarcely varying in any part, with the exception of the margin of 
the pileus, which is paler. Grew in dense clusters under beech 
trees. Stapleton Grove, Sept. 6, 1839. 

Polyporus adustus, Willd. Stapleton Grove. Effused in large masses 
over fallen leaves as well as on stumps. 

Polyp. suaveolens. On willows, in the parish of Stapleton; very 
abundant. It has a zoneless villous white pileus and brownish 
pores; smells like aniseeds. 

Polyp. dryadeus, Pers. On old oaks, in most woods about Bristol, 
always growing near the base of the trunks. 

Polyp. medulla panis, Jacq. Inside a hollow ash. Precisely like a 
mass of the crumb of bread. 

Boletus luteus. It is singular, that although Mr. Berkeley marks 
this species as exceedingly common, I have never found it in this 
neighbourhood ; the common species here being B. Grevellet. 

B. granulatus, Linn. Common, often growing to a great size. 

B. subtomentosus. Ditto. — 

Radulum orbiculare, Fr. On fallen birch sticks, Leigh Wood. Hy- 
menium waxy. My specimens do not exactly accord with Dr. . 
Greville’s figure, but they are not very perfect. 

Thelephora amorpha, Pers. A. & S. Conspect. p. 329, No. 982. 
Descriptio bona. On dead bramble or dog-rose sticks. Cook’s 
Folly Woods, June, 1839. 

Th. incrustans. Woods: common. Th. epidermea. On fallen twigs 
in woods. Th. nuda. Ditto. 

Th. corrugata, Fr. On sticks in a wet hedge. Redland, April, 
1839. Hymenium much cracked and papillose, with red-brown 
bristles. A golden yellow-brown woolly parasitic fungus grows 
upon it. 

Th. (Merisma) fastidiosum. Pers. Mycolog. Europ. vol. i. p. 155. 


* Ag. medius, Schum., should be Ag. pusillus, Pers. The error in English 
Flora has been corrected in Mr. Berkeley’s British Fungi and in our Journal. 
—Ep. 


of the neighbourhood of Bristol. 251 


No.1. In woods, glueing fallen leaves together in masses. 
Stercoris humani olet. 

Clavana pistillaris, Linn. Very rare. Nightingale Valley. 

Cl. amethystina, Bull. In a copse opposite the Black Horse on the 
road to Aust Passage. A very large specimen. 

Geoglossum glabrum, Pers. This present autumn. Dardham Down. 

Helvella crispa and lacunosa. Stapleton Grove. 

H. elastica, Bull. Under trees. Stapleton, autumn. 

Peziza reticulata, Grev. On the ground in various woods about 
Bristol; by no means rare with us. It is one of the earliest 
fungi, appearing in February. The odour resembles that of 
chlorine. Before Mr. Berkeley’s invaluable portion of the 
‘English Flora’ was published I had considered this to be a non- 
descript species ; subsequently I have seen Dr. Greville’s figure, 
than which nothing can be more excellent. 

Pez. acetabulum, Linn. Ona clay bank, Stapleton, May. 

Pez. vesiculosa, Bull. ‘There is what I consider to be a form of this 
plant grows on the naked soil in woods; it is much smaller, of 
a more regular figure and less juicy consistency than the dung- 
hill plants, otherwise I do not know how to distinguish it. 

Pez. macropus, Pers. Under beech trees, Stapleton, September. 
Growing in company with Helvella elastica. Mr. Berkeley 
remarks that some forms of these plants resemble each other, 
which they do very strongly, and Fries seems to consider them 
as identical, an opinion which I presume to doubt. 

Pez. humosa, Fr. On the naked soil, Leigh Wood, Sept. 4, 1839. 
Colour deep blood red internally, externally with greenish cast, 
when wounded bleeding a whey-like juice. 

Pez. scutellata, Linn. On clay in wet ditch banks, Stapleton. 
Densely gregarious, the largest plants were the size of six- 
pences. The usual habitat for Pez. scutellata appears to be rot- 
ten wood. Perhaps my plant is Pez. umbrosa, as Mr. Berkeley 
suspects, but the latter plant is not mentioned in the Mycolog. 
Eur. 

Pez. calycina and Laricis. Abundant on larch sticks in the spring. 
Stapleton. 

Tremella fimbriata, Pers. On stumps, Redland. It immediately 
gives a dark tincture to water. 

Spherobolus siellatus, Tode. On sticks, Stapleton Wood. 

Sph. entomorrhiza, Dicks. I am aware how unwarrantable it is to 
alter a well-known specific name, especially when imposed by 
such a revered botanist as Dickson, but this specific name has 

T2 


252 On the Fungi of the neighbourhood of Bristol. 


ceased to be distinctive, as other Spherie growing from the larvee 
of insects have been discovered ; indeed I have seen gigantic 
specimens from New Zealand on caterpillars. There appear to be 

' two very distinct forms, or rather two species, described under 
Sph. entomorrhiza, one witha slender stem and exserted ostiola, 
and the other with a more robust stem and perithecia entirely 
immersed. 

Mr. Berkeley says, Dickson’s plant is evidently altered from the 
larve having been buried in the ground; but there is no evidence 
of this either from the figure or description, and I humbly conceive 
the exserted ostiola render it specifically distinct*. I would propose 
to call the original plant Sph. Dicksoni, and the variety described in 
the ‘ English Flora’ by Mr. Berkeley, Sph. Berkelei, in compliment 
to that profound mycologist. I possess a single specimen of the last 
plant or variety gathered at Stockwood, Somerset, April 1836; it 
precisely accords with Mr. Berkeley’s description ; the roots embrace 
as it were the caterpillar, which is hardened, as if filled with the 
matter of which the fungus is composed. 

Sph. lanciformis, Sow. On birch bark. Not uncommon. 

Sph. leiphemia, Fr. On dead oak branches. Very common. 

Sph. incana, species nova? Section villose. Perithecia densely 
crowded, globose, covered with white mealy down. Ostiolapa- 
pillary, black, shining. Growing on low dung in dense patches. 
Stapleton Wood, August 24, 1839. 

An exceedingly neat Spheria : the ostiola and a little of the upper 
portion of the perithecia are bare. I can find no description appli- 
cable to this plant. 

Sph. strobilina, Holl. and Schum. Oncones of Scotch fir, Stapleton. 

Sph. atrovirens, A.andS. y Rusci. On dead Ruscus aculeatus. 
Not uncommon. 

Sph. setacea, Pers. On dead leaves of the Pyrus Aria, Redland. 

Sph. vagans lamiocola, Berk. Fung. Exsiccat. On L. album, every- 
where. This, or a nearly allied species, occurred on the leaves 
of Lychnis diurna. 

Geaster rufescens, Pers. In woods on aclay soil; not uncommon 
withus. There is a nearly allied species, occasionally found on 
open downs, with the outer peridium rose-coloured. 

Diderma cyanescens, Fr. On dead oak leaves, Nightingale Valley. 

Didymium hemisphericum, Bull. On twigs, ina ditch, Ashby, April. 

Trichia fallax. On rotten wood, Stapleton. 

* The degree of exsertion of the spherules in Spheria militans is ex- 


tremely variable, therefore a safe character can scarcely be drawn from this 
circumstance.—Ep. 


Mr. C. C. Babington on Arctium Lappa and Bardana. 253 


Sepedonium roseum, Fr. Overrunning all the plants of Ag. rubescens, 
Stapleton Wood, July 1839. Sporidia much resembling those 
of the pedicellate Uredines. 

Puccinia tumida. On Bunium flecuosum, Brandon Hill, May 1838. 

P. Circee, Pers. On C. Lutetiana, Leigh Wood, September, 1839. 
The handsomest species with which I am acquainted. 

P. Ulmaria, Dec. On Spirea Ulmaria, Stockwood. Associated 
with Uredo Potentillarum. 

Ocidium Primule, Dec. On primrose, Nightingale Valley. Sporidia 
yellow orange. 

O. Ari, Berk. On A, maculatum, Leigh Wood, May. 

O. leucospermum, Dec. On Anemone nemorosa, Redland, May. 

Uredo Scillarum, Grev. The sporidia grow from a thickened kind 
of sabiculum, which is very apparent in the dried specimens. 
Leigh Wood, May. 

U. Primule, Dec. On P. vulgaris, Nightingale Valley. Sori some- 
times in rings. 

U. crustacea, Berk. On Campanula rotundifolia, Wick Rocks, Glou- 
cestershire, August. 

U. Petroselini. On Smyrnium Olusatrum, St. Vincent’s Rocks. 

U. pompholygodes, Berk. Fung. Exsiccat. On Anemone nemorosa, 
Redland. 

U. Umbellatarum, Johnst. On Conium maculatum and Athusa Cyna- 
pium. 

U. Hypericorum, Dec. On Hyp. Androsemum, Leigh Wood, June. 

U. confluens, Dec. On Mercurialis perennis, Clifton. Sporidia dull 
yellow. | 

U. Lint. On L. catharticum. Common. 


Henry Oxiey STEPHENS. 
North Street, Bristol, Sept. 21, 1839. 


XXVIII.—On the Arctium Lappa and Bardana of Sir J. E. 
Smith. By Cuarues C. Baspineron, M.A., F.LS., 
F.G.S., &c. 


Ir must have appeared a remarkable circumstance to most 
practical botanists that the plants described by Sir J. E. Smith 
under the names of Arctium Lappa and A. Bardana, should 
be considered as truly distinct species by many authors of 
celebrity, and that others whose opinions were deserving of 
equal attention should as decidedly declare them to be only 
varieties of one plant: indeed some botanists have gone ‘so 


254 Mr. C.C. Babington on Arctium Lappa and Bardana. 


far as to say that they are not even distinguishable as varieties. 
It appears to me that part of this difference of opinion may be 
referred to the unsatisfactory manner in which they have been 
figured in English Botany, neither of the plates numbered re- 
spectively 1228 and 2478, representing either of the plants in 
the state in which I find them in nature. Tab. 1228, which 
is named A. Lappa, has the habit, protruded flowers and small 
heads of A. Bardana, but it wants the woolly involucrum, and 
has the leaves too much waved at their margins for that plant. 
Tab. 2478, denominated 4. Bardana, has the habit and large 
green heads of A. Lappa, but its involucrum is clothed with 
wool, its flowers are protruded, and its leaves want the wavy 
margin and numerous prickles of that species. From this 
confusion of characters I cannot avoid suspecting that some 
mistake has occurred, and am not surprised that any botanist, 
on a cursory view of the figures in comparison with speci- 
mens, should have believed the plants to be very variable. I 
had myself come to that conclusion, and should not probably 
soon have detected my mistake, had not an eminent practical 
botanist informed me that he had always been accustomed to 
distinguish two Burdocks in the earlier years of his life (be- 
fore the publication of those figures), but that latterly he had 
failed in determining them by their technical characters. Iam 
now become convinced that two plants of different habit, and 
possessing distinctive characters, which are very permanent, 
exist in England, and propose describing them as follows : 

1. Arctium Lappa, Linn. Capitulis subcorymbosis, involucri 
glabriusculi squamis interioribus concoloribus lineari-lanceolatis 
in mucronulum sensim attenuatis margine scariosis flosculos 
superantibus. 

A. Lappa, Linn. Sp. Pl. ti. 1143. Sm. Eng. Fl. ii. 380. 

A. majus, Schkuhr. ii. 49. Wim. et Grab. Fl. Silec. iii. 105. Le- 

deb. Fl. Alt. iv. 37. 

Lappa major, Gaertn. u. 379, t.162. DC. Prod. vi. 660. Koch. 
Syn. 404. Peterm. Fl. Lips. 600. 

L. officinalis, ‘‘ Al/.”” Spenn. Fl. J’'rib. 491. 

In this plant the involucrum is longer than the florets, the 
scales are all yellowish-green, rigid, subulate and hooked, with 
the exception of a very few of the innermost ones, which are 
linear-lanceolate, contracting gradually into a slightly curved 


Mr. C. C. Babington on Arctium Lappa and Bardana. 255 


rigid point ; all of them in their lower part and some of the 
innermost throughout their whole length, are furnished with 
a very narrow scarious white minutely ciliated not serrulated 
margin. The leaves are cordate, their margins nearly flat, and 
fringed with numerous rigid prickles formed by the excurrent 
points of the nerves. 
The most apparent characters of this plant are its large size, 
large corymbose heads, and glabrous pale green involucrum. 
2. A, Bardana, Willd. Capitulis racemosis involucri arachnoideo- 
lanati squamis interioribus coloratis lineari-lanceolatis abrupte 
mucronatis flosculis brevioribus. 
Arctium Bardana, Willd. Sp. Pl. iii. 1632. Sm. Engl. FI. iii. 381. 
A. tomentosum, Schk. ii. 49. Fl. Sil. ui. 104. Fl. Alt. iv. 37. 
Lappa tomentosa, Lam., Dict. i. 377. DC. Prod. vi. 660. Koch, 
405. Spenn. Fl. Friburg. 490. Peterm. Fl. Lips. 601. 


Here the involucrum is shorter than the florets, the scales 
are often nearly all purple-coloured, and although most of 
them are rigid, subulate, and hooked, yet the inner ones, 
which are linear-lanceolate and contract rather suddenly into 
an almost straight rigid point, are more numerous in propor- 
tion than they are in A. Lappa. Here the outer scales are 
fringed as in the former plant, but the inner ones, which are 
always coloured purple, are minutely serrulated throughout. 
The leaves are much smaller, less wavy at their margins, and 
fewer of the nerves appear to be excurrent, although I have 
seen them quite as numerous as in A. Lappa. : 

This species is distinguished at a glance by its smaller size, 
small racemed heads, and more or less woolly and coloured in- 
volucrum. 

I do not pretend to say that these plants are really distinct 
species, but am certainly inclined to consider them as deser- 
ving of that rank :—for although I*have looked carefully for 
them, yet intermediate states have not come under my notice 
since I have been familiar with the living plants: my wish is 
to call the attention of English botanists to a neglected genus 
in our native Flora. It is probable that both plants are com- 
mon throughout the country, but 4. Bardana appears to be 
rather the more frequent. 

St. John’s Coll. Cambridge, Oct. 12, 1839. 


256  ~‘Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand. 


XXIX.—Flore Insularum Nove Zelandie Precursor; or a 


Specimen of the Botany of the Islands of New Zealand. By 
ALLAN CUNNINGHAM, Esq. 


{Concluded from p. 26.] 
FLACOURTIANEA, Rich. in Mém. du Mus. DC. 


Meuicytus, Forst. 


Flores dioici v. polygami. Mas. Cal. monosepalus, 5-dentatus, dentibus 
brevibus persistentibus. Petala 5 calyce duplo longiora, discohypogyno 
basi coalita. Filamenta 5 clavata cyathiformia antherifera petalis al- 
terna, Anthere erecte, adnate, quadrato-cordate, biloculares introste, 
loculis appositis longitudinaliter dehiscentes. Fam. Calyx et petala ut 
in masc. Discus e squamis 5, petalis oppositis glandulosis. Ovarium 
liberum sessile, stigmate depresso, 2—5-lobo, terminatum. /ructus 
baccatus, 1-locularis, indehiscens polyspermus, calyce persistente nec 
aucto basi cinctus. Semina parietalia inzequalia angulata, latere exte- 
riore convexa, testa minutissime scrobiculata.—Arbusculz glabre. Folia 
alterna, petiolata, exstipulata, oblonga, acuminata, calloso-dentata, 
membranacea, penninervia, venosa. Flores parvi albi axillares fascicu- 
lati, pedicellati, pedicellis basi bracteolatis. 

623. M. ramiflorus, dioicus, foliis obovato-oblongis, fasciculis subsexfloris, 
petalis ovali-lanceolatis acuminatis, fructu spheeroideo, stigmate 4—5 lobato. 
Forst. Prod. n.371. Gen. Char. t.62. DC. Prodr.i. p. 257. A. Rich. Fl. 
Nov. Zel. p. 313. ; 

Mahéé, indigenis. RK. C. 

New Zealand (Northern Island).—1769, Sir Jos. Banks. On the skirts _ 
of forests and banks of rivulets, Bay of Islands &c.—1833, R. Cunningham. 
Middle Island.—1773, G. Forster.—1827, D’ Urville. 

624. M. macrophyllus, polygamus, foliis ovato-oblongis versus petiolum 
angustatis, fasciculis 8—10-floris, petalis oblongis obtusis, fructu obovato, 
stigmate 2—3-lobato. 

New Zealand (Northern Island). Shady forests in the country between 
the Bay of Islands and Hokianga river.—1826, 4. Cunningham.—1833, R. 
Cunningham. 

CRUCIFER&, Juss. 
1. Nasturtium, R. Br. in Hort. Kew. 

625. N. sylvestre. Br.in Hort. Kew. ed. 2. v.iv. p. 110. DC. Prodr, n. i. 
p.187. A. Rich. Fl. Nov, Zel. p. 309.— Sisymbrium sylvestre. L. LE. Bot. 
t. 2324. 

Chiqui ab incolis vulgo dicitur. D’Urville. 

New Zealand (Middle Island).. On barren spots, Cook’s Strait.—1827, 
D' Urville. 

2. Carpamine, L. 


626. C. debilis, (Banks and Sol. Ms.) foliis petiolatis glabris pinnatisectis, 


Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand. 257 


segmentis petiolulatis ovatis subsinuatis subbijugis cum impari reniformi 
caule debili, siliquis erectis. DC. Prodr. i. p. 153.—Sisymbrium hetero- 
phyllum. Forst. Prodr.n.250. A. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p.310. Willd. Sp. 
Pl. iii. p. 505. 

New Zealand (Northern Island).—1769, Sir Jos. Banks, In humid 
woods among ferns on the Kana-Kana river, Bay of Islands.—1826, 4. Cun- 
ningham. 

3. Atyssum, DC., L. 

627. A. maritimum, caulibus basi suffruticosis procumbentibus, foliis 
lineari-lanceolatis acutis subincanis, siliquis ovalibus glabris stylo brevi api- 
culatis. DC. Prodr. i. p. 164. Willd. Sp. Pl. iii. p. 459.—A. halamifolium. 
L, Curtis Mag. 10). 

New Zealand (Northern Island). Sandy shores of the Bay of Islands.— 
1833, 4. Cunningham. 

An species indigena ? 

4. Leripium, R. Br., DC. 

628. L. oleraceum, siliculis ovatis acutiusculis, foliis glabris elliptico-ob- 
longis profunde serratis, superioribus integris apice subserratis. DC. Prodr. 
i. p. 207. Forst. Prodr. n. 248. Willd. Sp. Pl. iii. p.4387. A. Rich. Fl. Nov. 
Zel. p. 310. #. 35. 

Eketara, indig. D’Urville. 

New Zealand (Northern Island).—1769, Sir Jos. Banks. Shores of the 
Bay of Islands.—1826, 4. Cunningham. (Middle Island), shores of Queen 
Charlotte’s Sound.—1773, G. Forster. 


Brassica sativa (rather oleracea, L.) and Raphanus sativus, L. are 
enumerated by M. Ach. Richard in his ‘ Essai d’une Flore de la 
Nouvelle Zélande,’ although he admits them not to be indigenous, 
but originally introduced by European visitors, and like the potato, 
had become generally wild on the Northern Island, as well in the 
drier woods as in the waste grounds in the environs of native villages. 


MAGNOLIACEA, DC. 
Drimys, Forst., D.C. 

629. D. axillaris, foliis oblongis utrinque acuminatis, pedicellis unifloris. 
DC. Prodr. i. p. 78. Forst. Gen. Char. t.42. A. Rich. Fl, Nov. Zel. p. 
290.—Wintera axillaris. Forst. Prodr. n. 229. Willd. Sp. Pl. ii. p. 1240. 

New Zealand (Northern Island).—1769, Sir Jos. Banks. Damp shady 
forests on the Kana-Kana and Hokianga Rivers.—1826, 4. Cunningham.— 
1833, R. Cunningham. 

RANUNCULACEA, Juss. 
1, Ranuncutus, L. 

630. R. rivularis, foliis glabris longe petiolatis 3-partitis, partitionibus 

cuneiformibus apice incisis, caule natanti-reptante, pedunculis oppositifoliis 


unifloris, petalis lanceolatis remotis unguiculatis. DC, Prodr.i.p.34. Banks 
et Sol. Ms. in Bibl. Banks. 


258 Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand. 


New Zealand (Middle Island). In the channels of rivulets at Totara-nui 
near Queen Charlotte’s Sound.—1769, Sir Jos. Banks. On the Kana-Kana 
and Hokianga Rivers, Bay of Islands.—1826, 4. Cunningham. 

Hlerba tenella, glabra; caules graciles, reptantes s. nutantes. Folia (fere 
Trifolii suffocati) 3-partita, lobis cuneatis apice in lobulos 2—3 divaricatos 
incisis. lores parvi, pallido-flavi, petala lanceolata, remota, elongata un- 
guiculata, unguibus limbos petalorum equantibus. Stam. 8—12. Ovaria 
6—12. Carpella totidem obovata, subcompressa, levia, stylo rectiusculo 
filiformi aristata, in capitulum spheroideum basi villis nonnullis cinctum ag- 
gregata. 

631. &. acaulis, foliis glabris, radicalibus longe petiolatis 3- partitis, lobis 
ovalibus integerrimis, scapo unifloro nudo petiolis breviore, calyce patente, 
petalis lanceolatis remotis erectis. DC. Prodr. i. p. 34. Banks and Sol. Ms. 

New Zealand (Northern Island). In muddy water-courses and wet 
grounds on the shores of Mercury Bay (Opuragi).—1769, Sir os. Banks. 

Herba glabra, tenella (fere facie Trifolii uniflori.). Folia omnia radicalia, 
petioli graciles 2—3 poll. longi, limbi 3-partiti, lobis obtusis integerrimis 
lateralibus ovalibus, medio obovato paulo majore. Scapus vix 2-pollicaris 
nudus I-florus. Petula longe unguiculata, erecta, angusta, acuta (pallide 
flava v. alba?) staminibus paucis longiora. 

632. R. acris, foliis pubescentibus subglabrisve palmato-partitis, lobis in- 
ciso-dentatis acutis, summis linearibus, caule erecto multifloro subpubescente 
pedunculis teretibus, calyce subvilloso, carpellis mucrone subrecto terminatis. 
DC. Prodr.i. p. 36. A. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p. 289. E. Bot. t. 652. 

Ponkou-Ponkou, s. Ponkookco incolarum. D’ Urville. ; 

New Zealand (Northern Island). Shores of the Bay of Islands.—1827, 
D'Urville. 

633. FR. plebeius, caule erectiusculo dichotomo basi petiolisque patentim 
pilosissimo apice subglabro, foliis trisectis villosis, segmentis petiolulatis 
ovatis inciso-dentatis, summis linearibus integris, caule subreflexo. DC. 
Prodr. i. p.39. R. Br. Ms. ined. 

New Zealand (Northern Island). Banks of the Kahio River, Wangaroa, 
and elsewhere in moist places in the vicinity of that harbour.—1826, 4. 
Cunningham.—1833, R. Cunningham. 

Caulis suberectus, pedalis sesquipedalisve, apice dichotomo-ramosus, valde 
hispidus, pilis rigidulis patentibus longis, apice pilis raris adpressis pubes- 
cens. Folia radicalia et caulina longe petiolata, trisecta, segmentis petio- 
lulatis ovato-cuneatis, inciso-lobatis utrinque villosis ; floralia summa linearia 
parva, integra, pauca. Pedunculi graciles, elongati, uniflori. lores lutei 
vix magnitudine R. arvensis. Calyx hirsutus, primum patens dein reflexus, 
petalis obovatis brevior. Carpella compressa levia, stylo uncinato terminata, 
in capitulum subrotundum aggregata. 

The specimens from the above-mentioned localities accord so per- 
fectly with M. DeCandolle’s character of Brown’s plant, originally 
found in New South Wales, as to leave no doubt of the identity of 
the species. ‘The nearest affinities of our plant appear to be with 


Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand. 259 


R. Cappaceus (Sm.) and R. pimpinelloides (Hooker, Journ. Bot. i. 
p. 243.): from the former, however, it differs in its smaller solitary 
flowers, and from the latter in its leaves being uniformly ternate and 
each segment deeply incised. 

634. R. hirtus, caule erecto dichotomo petiolis pedunculisque pilosissimis, 
foliis caulinis petiolatis inferioribus trisectis, segmentis petiolulatis ovatis 
dentatis, mediis trilobatis, summis ovali-oblongis, calycibus retroflexis. DC. 
Prodr. i. p.39. Banks and Sol. Ms. 

New Zealand (Northern Island). Shores of Mercury Bay, also at Howa- 
Howa Bay (Tolaga) in grassy places.—1769, Sir Jos. Banks. Near Tauraki 
on the Hokianga River.—1833, R. Cunningham. 

Species antecedenti proxima. Caules 2—3 erecti ad apicem iisque pilis 
patentibus rigidis hispidi, dichotomi. olia radicalia et caulina longe pe- 
tiolata, petiolis hispidis, segmentis grosse dentatis pilosis. Flores minimi 
longe pedunculati, lutei calyces retroflexi, carpella compressa lzvia stylo 
brevissimo recto apiculata, et in capitulum ovatum aggregata. 


2. Crematis, L., DC. 


635. C. indivisa, floribus paniculatis, foliis ternatim sectis, segmentis pe- 
tiolatis ovalibus obtusis integerrimis mucronatis coriaceis adultis utrinque 
glabris, foliolis perianthii 6—8 elongato-oblongis obtusis utrinque lanugi- 
nosis, staminibus duplo longioribus, antheris submuticis ramulis peduncu- 
lisque tomentosis, Willd. Sp. Pl. ii. p.1291. DC. Prodr.i. p.5. A. Rich. 
Fl. Nov. Zel. p. 288.—C. integrifolia. Forst. Prodr. n. 231. non Linn. 

New Zealand (Northern Island).—1769, Sir Jos. Banks. Margins of 
woods on the shores of the Bay of Islands, and on the Hokianga River, 
where it was detected flowering in September.—1826, 4. Cunningham. 

Scandens, ramis vetustioribus glabris. Petioli cirrhiformes. oliola ob- 
tusa, cum mucronulo vel emarginata, coriacea integerrima basi rotundata, 
aut subcordata interdum obliqua. Panicule axillares, versus extremitatem 
ramulorum foliis longiores, ramis oppositis unifloris bracteatis, tomentosis. 
Foliola perianthii plerumque sena, oblonga, obtusa, nervosa, lana crispa 
dense tecta, nervis anastomozantibus. Fi/amenta complanata sepalorum di- 
midium zquantia. Ovaria numerosa in caudas barbato-plumosas abeuntia. 

636. C. purviflora, floribus racemoso-paniculatis axillaribus hexasepalis, 
foliis ternatim sectis, segmentis elliptico-cordatis acuminatis membranaceis 
venosis integerrimis vel grosse serratis lobatisve, subtus pedunculisque fer- 
rugineo-tomentosis, sepalis oblongo-lanceolatis acuminatis, intus glabris 
extus pilosis, staminibus paulo longioribus, antheris ovatis apiculo brevi ob- 
tuso terminatis. — 

New Zealand (Northern Island). Thickets on the skirts of forests, Wan- 
garoa.—1826, 4. Cunningham. 

Frutex scandens, ramis elongatis striatis glabris, ramulis sulcatis, pilis raris 
conspersis. Petioli cirrhiformes. oliola ovali-cordata integra vel inciso- 
serrata, petiolo duplo longiora. Panicule lax, axillares, folia equantia, 
petiolisque tomentose. Flores hexasepali, sepalis lanceolatis extus ferru- 


260 Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand. 


gineo-pilosis. Stamina numerosa, sepala vix equantia. FPericarpia ovata, 
compressa, villosa, in caudas pilosas attenuatas desinentia, pilis longis sim- 
plicibus patentibus. 

Closely allied to the following species, but differs in having leaflets 
of a much thinner texture and uniformly tomentose:on their under- 
side ; its flowers also are in loose racemes, much smaller and herma- 
phrodite. 

637. C. hexasepala, floribus paniculatis dioicis hexasepalis, foliis ternatim 

“sectis, segmentis ovato-cordatis late crenatis reticulatim venosis glabris co- 
riaceis, sepalis oblongis staminibus triplo longioribus. DC. Prodr. i. p. 5.— 
C. hexapetala. Forst. Prodr. n. 230. Ic. in Bibl. Banks, ined. t. 170.— 
C. odorata. Banks et Sol. Mss. 

New Zealand (Northern Island).—1769, Sir Jos Banks. (Middle Island.) 
Queen Charlotte’s Sound.—1773, G. Forster. 

Frutex scandens, ramis teretibus substriatis. Foliola ovato-cordata, crenis 
latis obtusissimis subincisa, petiolata, glaberrima, obsolete trinervia. Pedun- 
culi pluries dichotomi, pedicelli elongati foliis triplo longiores v. zequales. 
Flores patentes, 6-sepali sepalis oblongis albido-flavescentibus (in sicco). 
Stamina sepalis ter breviora. Pericarpia ovalia, compressa, pubescentia, vix 
apice attenuata, in caudam barbatam producta*. 


GENERA INCERTE SEDIS, 
vel 
gquoad Ordines dubia. 
1. Corynocarpus, Forst. 

Calyx inferus pentaphyllus, foliolis oblongis concavis deciduis. Petala 5, 
subrotunda. Nectarium (stamina sterilia) e foliolis 5 erectis petali- 
formibus, cum petalis alternantibus, basi glandula globosa. Stamina 5 
e basi petalorum. Anthere erect oblonge. Stylus brevis, stigmate 
obtuso. Drupa (nux) turbinato-clavata oblonga, 1-sperma. 

688. C.levigata. Forst. Prodr.n. 114. Gen. Char. t. 16. Willd. Sp. 


* Nova satis distincta species est : : 

C. cocculifolia, floribus paniculatis dioicis 4-sepalis, foliis indivisis longe 
petiolatis orbiculato-ovalibus obtusis membranaceis 5-nerviis integerrimis 
glabris, basi seepius cordatis, sepalis oblongis margine lanatis, antheris ovatis 
obtuse apiculatis. Crescit in locis apricis praesertim in marginibus sylvarum 
ceeduarum Insule Norfolk, ubi Augusto Septembrique floret. 

Caulis scandens, utirelique partes, glaberrimus, sulcatus. Pedioli elongati 
seepe cirrhiformes. Folia opposita, petiolata, orbiculata, obtusa, integerrima, 
basi simplicia rotundata crebre cordata. Flores parvi paniculati dioici. Pe- 
rianthium 4-sepalum, sepalis oblongis ovato-lanceolatisve nervosis intus 
glabris, extus villosis, marginibusque lanigeris, staminibus paulo longioribus. 
Stamina numerosa, filamentis basi complanatis. Anthere ovate (post an- 
thesin lineares) apiculate, apiculo obtuso. Pericarpia ovalia, compressa, 
villosa, in caudas barbato-plumosas desinentia, apicibus nudis. 4. Cun- 
mingham. 


Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand. 261 


P1.i. p.1178. Roem, et Sch. Syst. Veg. v. p.345. A. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. 
p. 365.—Merretia lucida. Sol. Mss. in Bibl, Banks. 

Karaka ab incolis vocatur. 

New Zealand (Northern Island),.—1769, Sir Jos. Banks. In moist shady 
woods on the shores of the Bay of Islands.—1826, 4. Cunningham. 

Arbor spectabilis (facie Ardisiea) 40-pedalis et altior, ramosa, ramis tere- 
tibus patentibus, glabriusculis apice foliosis, cortice cinereo-brunneo vestitis. 
Folia alterna, petiolata, sesquipalmaria (szepe 3-pollices lata) obovata v. 
ovato-oblonga, obtusa, integerrima, glaberrima, levia. Panicula terminalis, 
simplicissima, racemosa. lores parvi albi pedicellati. Petala 5 erecta, 
zequalia, concava, calyce paulo majora, ungue angusto. Nectarium (sta- 
mina sterilia), foliola 5 adscendentia, oblonga, acuta, petalis paulo minora et 
cum eis alternantia, et singula aucta corpusculo glanduliformi globoso, fere 
ovarij magnitudine. Ovarium superum globosum, Stylus brevis filiformis. 
Stigma obtusum. Drupa, 

Obs. An Myrsineis affine? 


This tree, upon which the eye of the traveller rests with pleasure, 
by reason of its rich dark glossy leaves and highly ornamental growth, 
furnishes a plum-like fruit, of which the drupaceous coat being when 
fully ripened of a sweetish taste, is eaten by the natives. The nut 
or kernel also, upon being deprived (by steaming and maceration in 
salt water) of the poisonous property which it is said to possess, is 
held in considerable estimation by the New Zealanders, who collect 
and store it for food in seasons of dearth. If eaten without this ne- 
cessary preparation, the body of the person becomes seized with se- 
vere spasmodic pains and convulsions, from which the sufferer in 
some cases does not recover, but has been observed to die in great 
agony in a few hours. The timber is not used for any other purpose 
than as fire wood, being of short fibre and very soft. 


2. GriseLinE&, Forst., Prodr. 

Flores polygami dioici. Herm. Calyx superus 5-dentatus. Corolla 5- 
petala. Stamina 5. Styli 3, cylindrici brevissimi, stigmatibus simpli- 
cibus. Ovarium 3-loculare? loculis l-ovulatis. Mase. Calyx 5-den- 
tatus. Corolla 5-petala. Staminad. Anthere subrotunde. 

639. G. lucida. Forst. Prodr.n.401. Willd. Sp. Pl. iv. p.1128. Roem. 
et Sch, Syst. Veg. vi. p. 641. Spreng. Pugil. i. p. 63.—Scopolia lucida. 
Forst. Char. Gen. t. 70. 

New Zealand (Northern Island). On the shores of Mercury and Howa- 
Howa Bays, upon the east coast.—1769, Sir Jos. Banks. (Middle Island.) 
—1773, G. Forster. 

Arbuscula, ramis erectiusculis, ramulis divaricatis sulcatis, cortice fusco- 
olivaceo tectis. Folia alterna, petiolata, oblonga, coriacea, basi inzequalia, 
hine attenuata, inde rotundata, integerrima, obtusa, utrinque glabra, supra 
nitida, subtus opaca venosa, fere spithamea, palmam lata. Panicula termi- 


262 Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 


nalis aphylla: rami divergentes bractea suffulti, pedunculis subtrifidis, Flores 
masculi feemineis interpositi, illorum calyx pentaphyllus rotatus, stamina 
calyce parum longiora. Anthere 4-loculares. Foemineus: calyx 5-dentatus, 
styli 3 lanceolati. Fructus trigonus trispermus videtnr. Hine potius ad 
Cl. xxi. releganda inter Z’ricocca, Crotonopsin inter et Polychroam.—Spr. 
loc. cit.. 

Forsan ad Euphorbiaceas pertinet ? 

Quid Cliffortioides cordata, Sol. Mss. ex Forst. p.n. 660. absq. descr. vel 
C. oblongata, Sol. Mss. in Bibl. Banks.? 

Frutices Nove Zelandiz : ad sylvas juxta Totara rivi, prope littora Freti 
Cook, incolunt, 1769. Illustr. Banks. 


XXX.—Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 
Mr. Schomburgk’s recent Expedition in Guiana. 
(Continued from p. 199.] 


On our march over the savannahs we discovered them frequently 
grazing in groups, some of the older bulls keeping the outposts. 
As soon as danger is approaching they give the signal by loudly 
bellowing, and the whole herd is immediately on the alert; they 
stand gazing, and snuff the air as if they intended to ascertain by 
smell the extent of danger. On nearer approach, the bulls which stood 
guard are seen to show their dissatisfaction of the interruption ; they 
stamp with their feet and bow to the ground with their head, tossing 
up the sand and grass high in the air. If the assailants are nume- 
rous and continue their approach, the bull retreats for a short di- 
stance, but turns and repeats the former manceuvre ; and if this does 
not intimidate the enemy, they then consider it time to follow 
speedily the retreating herd. 

I consider the number of wild cattle scattered over the sayannahs 
at about 4000, but I doubt whether they are on the increase, as man 
and jaguars commit fearful ravages among them. To judge from 
what I have seen I should say the number of-bulls amounts to about 
a third. The general colour of the wild cattle is brown or black, 
and there are very few spotted among them. Their most deadly 
enemy is the greater jaguar, Felis onca, Linn.; which hovers in such 
quantities about Fort San Joaquim, that during the month of June 
1838, twelve individuals were killed by the cattle-drivers. They 
are very daring, and sometimes kill cattle within a few yards of 
houses that are inhabited. They care very little for the fires which 
are made to prevent their encroachments. If one or a pair of these 
animals should take up their quarters in the vicinity of a cattle farm, 


Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 263 


scarcely a night passes in which they do not commit ravages. They 
do not eat much of any they kill, perbaps ten or twelve pounds, and 
principally of the breast; but they prefer killing fresh every time 
they are hungry. When out of the reach of cattle farms or the wild 
herds on the savannahs, they subsist on Peccaris, Capabyras, Tapirs, 
and Deer*, 

Not less destructive is the Turtle-tiger, a species or variety of the 
former. They are of the same strong build as the greater jaguar, 
and very much resemble it both in form, colour, and disposition of 
' its spots, but they are abouta third less in size. In the vicinity of 
human habitations they commit great ravages among domestic ani- 
mals; Hogs, Sheep, Goats, &c. are alike exposed to their attacks, 
but I never heard of an authenticated instance of their attacking 
man, although they will come boldly to his habitation, and even enter 
the houses and carry away the dogs from the fireside. 

I fear much that by relating the following instances of boldness I 
run the risk of being accused of exaggeration; but as I was not the 
only witness of the singular feats of one of that species I hesitate the 
less, as it is characteristic of its mischievousness. At my return, in 
February 1837, from a pedestrian tour in search of the sources of the 
Essequibo, two of the gentlemen belonging to the expedition, who 
had been awaiting me at Curassawaka, a settlement of Caribis at the 
Rupununi, complained much that they as well as the Indians had 
been lately much annoyed by a jaguar, or tiger as it is vulgarly 
called, which prowled almost nightly about the settlement, and had 
carried away a young puppy from below the Indian hut. ‘They ob- 
served, that one of my dogs, which I had lately bought, appeared to be 
the only one which, although he did not attack the unwelcome guest, 
at least kept him at bay. My tent was pitched that night several 
yards distant from the Indian huts, and before I went into my ham- 
mock I placed another, which had just been returned to me after 


* It has been stated that the larger jaguar does not attack man when 
unannoyed. I know of several instances contradictory to this belief, and 
the most striking example is one of the Indians who have accompanied me 
to London, and who offers the evidence of the attack on his body. When a 
boy,of eight or nine years of age, he was accompanying his grandmother to 
the provision field, and loitered a short distance behind, when a jaguar 
rushed from the bush and seized him. His grandmother had however 

resence of mind enough to attack the jaguar with a cutlass which she had . 
in her hand, and obliged it to drop its prey. Four large scars in the vicinity 
of the clavicle will attest to his last day the fierceness of the jaguar. 

+ Ihave not seen the representation which Major Hamilton Smith has 
given of the lesser jaguar, but from his description I have little doubt that 
it is identical with the above. 


264 Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 


it had been washed, on a trunk that stood near the place where my 
hammock was slung. The newly washed one was missed next morn- 
ing: my suspicion of its having been stolen fell upon some Wapi- 
sana Indians, who were to depart next day ; and although it was a 
new feature in the character of the Indian not contaminated by 
the vices prevailing at the coast regions, I had no other alternative 
to account for the absence of the hammock, which I was positive of 
having placed the preceding evening on the trunk in my tent. As 
to the observation of I-rai-i, the chieftain of the settlement, that the 
tiger most likely had carried the hammock away, I gave so little 
credit to it that I insisted now on searching the Indian huts, but 
without success. The party of Wapisanas departed next day, and 
supposing they might have hid the hammock at a convenient spot to 
take in their canoe when passing by, I sent a quick-pulling corial 
after them to search the canoe once more, when they might have 
considered themselves secure from further search: but no vestige of 
the hammock was to be discovered, and they departed, very likely 
not well satisfied with the mistrust I had shown as to their ho- 
nesty. The small size of the tent, which did not afford sufficient 
protection in case of rain, induced me to take possession of an unin- 
habited hut, at some distance from the other huts. I was equally 
annoyed with the others at the frequent visits which the tiger con- 
tinued to pay us during dark nights, and the chase which ensued 
with my dog, who though not trained for hunting the tiger, was 
nevertheless able to molest him and to prevent his entering the huts ; 
but the noise of the barking dog and the growls of the incensed 
tiger, who in spite of his springs could not get at his wary anta- 
gonist, was indescribable, and lasted generally for several hours. 
Our attempts at securing the disturber of our rest had proved 
hitherto fruitless, and we began to consider it as an unavoidable evil. 
The other three Europeans who belonged to my party had taken 
possession of the chieftain’s hut, and Mr. Le Breton complained one 
morning after the departure of the Wapisanas, that having found his 
blanket too warm for him during the night and put it under his 
hammock, no trace of it was to be discovered next morning. These 
strange thefts, for which we could not account, as we put implicit 
faith in the honesty of I-rai-i’s people, became more frequent ; sauce- 
pans, spoons, a table-cloth, which had been left about the hut, va- 
nished one after the other. It was about this time that after an abs- 
ence of six months I was anxious to communicate with the colony, 
and as no time was to be lost and I had a great deal of writing to 
get through, I was generally sitting up until after midnight. Al- 


Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 265 


though my hut, merely an open shed, was at some distance from the 
settlement, and a servant, besides myself, its only inhabitants, we 
had been no otherwise disturbed by the jaguar than from the noise 
of the dog when our unwelcome guest prowled in the neighbourhood 
of the huts. I was thus one night sitting up at my desk, and had just 
put my loaded pistols which had been lying on the desk on a box at 
my left hand, thinking it too late to expect a visit from the tiger. A 
short while after my eyes were directed to the outside of the shed, 
when I discovered an object, the real nature of which I could not 
make out from my hammock being in the way : holding forward the 
light I discovered to my great astonishment the jaguar standing not 
four paces from me, and looking steadfastly at my proceedings. 
How long he had been there I know not, but before I had put down 
the candle and seized the pistol, he had walked off slowly into the 
bush, and although I fired after him I naturally missed him. A few 
nights after 1 was awakened by something crawling under my ham- 
mock, and supposing it to be a dog which had been in quest of some 
pieces of biscuit which I had left on a plate, I gave the disturber of 
my rest a slap with the hand, when lo! the animal cleared with one 
spring the chests and trunks which stood in its way, and rushed in 
the bush, displaying the spotted skin of the jaguar. I freely con- 
fess that at this discovery the blood chilled in my veins. The marks 
of the jaguar’s paws left next morning no doubt as to the visitor, 
and we began to consider not so improbable, the report of the Indians 
as to who might have been the purloiner of the things which we had 
missed. A search was begun in the neighbouring wood: pieces of 
wool torn from the blanket when dragged through the bush pointed 
out the probable direction which the jaguar had taken with its 
booty, and soon after the blanket itself was found, apparently no 
further injured than the rents which it might have got in being 
dragged along. The hammock was found in a quite different direc- 
tion, and also the other missing objects with the exception of the 
table-cloth. What could now be the object of the animal in carry- 
ing them off? Shall we compare it to the thievish magpie? or was 
it merely playfulness? Sometimes we were astonished by his feats 
of strength. One evening the Indians who had been out fishing re- 
turned with a large Arapaima or Piraruco (Sudis Gigas), which they 
had succeeded in capturing for us, their superstition forbidding them 
to taste of its flesh. As it was late and the fish weighed not less than 
two hundred pounds, we deferred conveying it on land until next 
morning. When morning came no fish was to be found in the canoe, 
but there were sufficient traces to show that it had been dragged 
Ann. Nat. Hist, Vol. 4. No. 24. Dec. 1839. U 


266 Bibliographical Notices. 


by the jaguar into the wood, where we found it minus its tail part, 
which to a third of the fish’s length had been eaten off. It may be 
conceived what strength was necessary to get it out of the canoe, 
and I am almost inclined to suppose that it had been assisted by 
another jaguar. Our endeavours to rid ourselves of this unwelcome 
visitor proved all fruitless, and there were some among us who began 
to think like the Indians that its-life was enchanted. 

Mr. Vieth, who formed one of our party during the two last ex- 
peditions into the interior, and who during a long stay in Guiana 
has attentively observed the habits of the native cats, told me that 
he went to sleep in an Indian hut where there were altogether 
seven hammocks hanging occupied by Indians, and each having a 
fire underneath it; nevertheless at about nine o’clock at night, a 
jaguar of that species entered a hut, and in spite of the screaming of 
the Indians-carried away a dog which was lying near one of the 


fires. 
[To be continued. ] 


7 


BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


Nouveau Recueil de Planches Coloriées d Oiseaux, pour servir de suite 
et de complément aux Planches Enluminées de Buffon. Par C. J. 
Temminck et Meiffren Laugier Baron de Chartrouse. Livr. 98— 
102. Paris, 1839. 


These ‘‘ Livraisons”’ bring a work to a conclusion, which, com- 
mencing at a time when there existed few periodicals devoted to 
ornithology, was hailed with much interest. During nearly twenty 
years it has been conducted with great regularity, having only when 
near its conclusion occasionally failed in its monthly appearance, 
while it has maintained an equality in execution alike creditable to 
the authors and the artists employed by them. The original design 
of the work was to continue modern discovery in a series of figures 
of birds not contained in the ‘ Planches Enluminées,’ and it now ex- 
tends to a collection of 600 plates, on which are represented about 
800 species, delineated in almost every instance with a correctness 
which will allow of little mistake, and coloured with great clearness ; 
at the same time the plates bear the peculiar character of foreign 
art, which is not in many instances in accordance with the taste of 
the British ornithological draftsman. This collection is especially 
rich in figures of many of the species inhabiting the Dutch posses- 
sions in the islands of the East, where the valuable and beautiful 
productions became first appreciated and in part described in the 


Bibliographical Notices. 267 


works of Raffles and Horsfield, and whose interior recesses have sup- 
plied many splendid species to the researches of the naturalists 
who have been lately employed to explore them. The residence of 
Sieboldt in Japan has also furnished many subjects which are not to 
be found elsewhere. The descriptive part is concisely written, but 
there is little added to our knowledge of habits or affinities, and the 
greatest blemish to the work is the passing over the discoveries of 
contemporary writers, with whose works M. Temminck should have 
been conversant ; thus from the commencement of the series many 
birds are given under new denominations which had previously been 
described by other naturalists. A difference of opinion may have 
existed, but prior and contemporary labourers in the same field 
could scarcely all be unworthy of notice; even in the concluding 
Livraisons this is apparent. | 

The parts which we have now received contain some very inter- 
esting and remarkable birds which may be worthy of a short notice. 
Uria Wumizusume, Temm., pl. 579, is a remarkable bird from the 
coasts of Corea and Japan, furnished with a lanceolate frontal crest 
in the breeding season ; it was indicated by Pallas and Latham, and 
designated under a separate generic title by Brandt. So far as we 
can judge from the figure now given it will differ in many respects 
from the true Guillemots, and we do not think that the specific name 
given by M. Temminck is any improvement upon that of ‘‘ antigua” 
given by its first describers.—Picus Awokera, Temm., pl. 585, a 
Japanese bird very closely resembling P. viridis, but considered to 
be distinct, and if so presenting another instance of the close alliance 
which the members of this genus (Brachylophus, Sw.) hold with 
each other.—Dacelo Buccoides, Temm., pl. 586. We question much 
that this is a distinct species, though we wish to give every deference 
to the high authority which the author’s experience will carry with 
it.—Fringilla Kawarahiba, Temm., pl. 588. (coccothraustes or belong- 
ing to Chloris, Sw.) is a beautiful Japanese species, but Fringilla 
rutilans, Temm. (Passer) represented on the same plate, and also 
found in Japan, seems nearly allied to P. Indica, Orn. Illust. pl. 118. 
The head of the Japanese bird is more chestnut-coloured, and the 
black patch beneath is confined to the throat only.—Allotrius flavis- 
capis, Temm., pl. 589. is given as the type of anew genus. Itisa 
Japanese and Sumatran bird, and will stand very near if it does not 
enter Pteruthius, Sw. figured in Mr. Gould’s Himalayan Century.— 
Timalia Trichorrhos, Temm., pl. 594. ‘This bird will enter the ge- 
nus Macronous of the ‘ Ornithological Illustrations,’ pl. 150, which 
Mr. Swainson considers an aberrant Brachypteryx. It seems closely 

u2 


268 Bibliographical Notices. 


allied to the bird alluded to, but will differ slightly in the markings 
of the cheeks and throat, and seems to have the lengthened plumes 
springing from the axille only, whereas in the other they arise from 
the whole lower part of the back. If we are right in this bird being 
distinct, a second species will tend to confirm the separation of the 
form to a subgenus ; for independent of the remarkable development 
of the dorsal and axillary plumes, there are other differences which 
would warrant a removal when a few species exhibited similar cha- 
racters. It is probable also that Timalia maculata, Temm., pl. 593, 
where the plumage exhibits an inclination to lengthen and become 
disunited, would also range with them.—Timalia nigricollis, pl. 594, 
said to be found in Borneo and not hitherto discovered in Java or 
Sumatra, we have received from both of the latter islands and also 
from the Malayan Peninsula.—Eurylavinus psittacinus, pl. 598. The 
only difference which we can perceive in this figure from that of a 
beautiful species from continental India, is in the tail being more 
lengthened and coloured entirely of an ultramarine tint. The bird 
we allude to is that named #. Dalhousii in the ‘ Edinb. New Phil. 
Journ.’ for 1829, figured by Mr. Royle in his Botany, &c. of the 
Himalayan Mountains, beautifully represented by Mr. Gould in his 
‘Icones Avium,’ under the subgeneric title of Crossodera, and lastly 
indicated by Mr. Swainson in his ‘ Classification of Birds,’ as psa- 
risomus. At present we consider the two birds identical, and that 
reference to the descriptions alluded to if they are not so would have 
tended to illustrate the subject. The specimens which have reached 
Britain have we believe been all received from continental India, 
principally from the Himalayan and Nipal districts, while M. Tem- 
minck’s birds have been found in the mountain forests of the inte- 
rior of Sumatra. ‘La découverte en est due a M. Muller.” The 
concluding Livraison contains a copious ‘*‘ Tableau Méthodique” and 
the title pages, besides a few supplementary observations upon some 
of the descriptions published in the course of the work. 


Flora Lipsiensis Excursoria, Auctore G. L. Petermann. Lipsiz, 1838. 
J. A. Barth. 

This excellent little work has just reached us, and we rejoice in 
introducing it to the notice of English botanists. The book contains 
full generic and specific characters of 1316 flowering plants which 
grow in the neighbourhood of Leipsic, and these not merely com- 
piled from other works, as is unfortunately often the case in local 
Floras, but drawn up with great care from the examination of the 
plants themselves.. The arrangement is Linnean, with the omission 


Bibliographical Notices. 269 


of the classes Dodecandria, Monecia, Diecia, and Polygamia. Seve- 
ral new species are given, namely : ; 

1. Carex Lipsiensis separated from C. Oederi by its ascending, not 
erect growth, shorter rostrum, narrower leaves, and ovate not ovate- 
oblong bracteas. We suspect that this cannot be considered as more 
than a variety, even if C. Oederi is distinct from C. flava. 

2. Arrhenatherum biaristatum, distinguished by having both its 
florets furnished with kneed awns. 

3. Campanula cordata, differing from C. Trachelium by having all 
its leaves cordate and stalked, flowers separate (singuli), calyx hispid, 
with ovate-suboblong segments. 

4. Stellaria flaccida, “‘ debilitate insignis, viridis ; flores fere S. 
glauce, habitus S. graminee ; caulis levis, glaber, ramosissimus, ra- 
mis 9—12 pollicaribus, filiformibus ; folia angustissima, glabra, levia, 
corymbus axillaris, et sub anthesi caule ipso brevior; pedicelluli 
elongati, filiformes; bracteole scariose, herbaceo-uninervie, una 
alterave serratura instructz, glabrz.” 

5. Betonica recurvidens, separated from B. officinalis by its ovate- 
lanceolate strongly serrated cauline leaves, the serratures patent and 
“‘ apice subrecurvis.”’ 

6. Hypericum medium. ‘This plant is an iateeumiinte form be- 
tween H. perforatum and tetrapterum; from the latter it is distin- 
guished by its terete scarcely 2-edged stem, and sessile not amplex- 
icaul leaves, of which the lower are without pellucid dots; from 
the former its differences appear to be very slight, depending upon 
its shorter leaves, the lower of which are not punctured, smaller 
corolla, which is but little longer than the calyx, and never ‘“ dorso 
nigro punctata.”’ 

7. Hypericum decumbens. This appears to be the variety of H. hu- 
mifusum with pointed and glandularly serrated sepals, and we think 
ought not to be separated from that plant. 

8. Leontodon validus, said to be a much stronger, taller, and more 
branched plant than L: autumnalis, but we do not see how it is to be 
distinguished unless it is by its longer style. 

We have not space to give any further extracts from this valuable 
contribution to European descriptive botany, which we trust will 
soon be in the hands of all working botanists. We must however 
protest against the extensive introduction of new terms, both names 
of parts and descriptive, with which the book abounds, even more 
than most of the modern German Floras. We know of no good at- 
tending this practice, and are quite certain that it is a very trouble- 
some and puzzling one, not only to young botanists, but also to those 
who are much more advanced in the study of the science. 


270 Botanical Society of London. 


PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. 


BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. 


5th April, 1839.—Dr. D. C. Macreight, V.P. in the Chair. 

The continuation of Mr. Edwin Lees’s paper ‘‘ On the species of 
Tilia natives of England,” was read. 

After noticing where the author considered the Tidia indigenous, 
he mentions that the Tilia parvifolia (Ehr.) is undoubtedly the 
most common in Britain whatever may be the case on the continent. 
Ray records it as frequent in Essex and Sussex as well as in Lin- 
colnshire. According to Mr. Bicheno, in Smith’s ‘ English Flora,’ it 
grows plentifully in Stokenchurch Woods, Oxfordshire, and the 
author found it abundantly in the western parts of Worcestershire, 
forming in some spots the principal part of the coppice wood, as well 
as about the wild ravines of the vale of Neath, Glamorganshire, 
beautifully overhanging the waterfalls of that romantic region. The 
author saw no reason to doubt its indigenousness. Many singularly 
grotesque old trees of this species occur about the bases of all the 
Silurian Hills from Malvern to Ludlow, drawings of which were ex- 
hibited. 

Dr. Bromfield states, in Watson’s ‘ Botanist’s Guide,’ that he was 
informed ‘‘ that there are entire woods of this species’ at Buckland 
near Ashburton, Devonshire. It is singular that Mr. Watson him- 
self considers the fact of there being woods of this species as leading 
to ‘‘ the presumption of the trees being planted and zot indigenous.” 
But surely the converse of this must appear to the majority of re- 
flecting botanists ; and strangely‘enough, on this principle, Tilia gran- 
difolia, which is only found in scattered trees or groups, would have 
a stronger claim than the far more common Tilia parvifolia. Besides, 
we surely consider the occurrence of a wood or coppice of any parti- 
cular tree, say the hazel, the alder, or the holly, as indicating a greater 
adaptitude of the soil or locality to the nourishment of that parti- 
cular species, which has thus established its home or head quarters 
at the spot; and on this principle botanists find it advantageous to 
attend to the habitats of plants. 


19th April.—Dr. William H. Willshire, in the Chair. 

A paper was read from Mr. Arthur Wallis ‘‘ On the Orchidee of 
Essex.” The northern parts of Essex are characterized by chalky 
deposits, extending from Cambridgeshire and Herts, occasionally in- 
terspersed with loamy sand, and on the high ground alluvial clay. 
Travelling southward the soil still consists of heavy loam, and in 


- 


Zoological Society. 271 


some districts extensive fields of gravel. On reaching the central 
parts of the county (in which the author included the neighbourhood 
for several miles round Chelmsford), there is a rich black mould, with 
here and there spots of clay and gravel, but no chalk. The extreme 
west consists, in addition to many fertile spots, of gravel as well as 
alluvial clay, and in those parts bordering on the Thames, as Pur- 
fleet, Thurrock, &c., the chalk predominates. Though it is well known 
that the Orchis tribe more especially delight in a calcareous soil, yet 
Mr. W. found them in all the varied habitats which the county pre- 
sents, from the light rich soil to the loam and chalk, The author had 
found the following: Orchis moris, Orchis mascula, Orchis pyrami- 
dalis, Orchis ustulata, and Orchis latifolia. 

A paper was read from Mr. W.H. White* ‘‘ On the genus Poten- 
tilla and Tormentilla.” 


ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
February 26, 1839.—The Rev. F. W. Hope in the Chair. 

A paper, entitled ‘“‘Spicilegium Serpentium Indicorum,” was 
communicated by Dr. Theodore Cantor. This paper contains the 
following descriptions of 

A. Venomous Serpents +. 
Genus TrigonocePHatvs, Oppel. 


TRIGONOCEPHALUS ERYTHRURUS. Trt. supra leté viridis, squamis 
ovatis carinatis subimbricatis, caudd cinnamomed, squamis levibus 
rhomboidalibus tecté ; abdomine flavo-viridescenti lined nigra 
serrata utringue incluso. 

Scuta abdominalia 167. 
Scutella subcaudalia 68. 

Habitat. Delta, Gangeticum. 

Bright green above, with ovate keeled slightly imbricate scales ; 
the tail cinnamon-red, with smooth rhomboidal scales ; the abdominal 
surface greenish-yellow, inclosed on both sides by a black serrated 
line. 

TRiGoNocerHALUS MucRosquamatus. J'ri. superné griseo-brun- 
nescens, annulis nigris albo marginatis, squamis ovalibus, semi- 
carinatis mucronatis, imbricatim tectus; subtus albidus, nigro 
punctatus. 

Scuta abdominalia 218. 
Scutella subcaudalia 91. 

Halitat. Naga Hills, Assam. 

- Brownish grey above, with black white- edged rings, covered with 
oval, half-keeled, pointed, imbricate scales; whitish beneath, dotted 
with black. 

* See in p. 283 of the present Number a Note relative to Mr. W. H. 
White and Dr. Westendorp. 

+ Dr. Cantor’s original specimens, drawings, and descriptions are in the 
possession of the Radcliffe Library, Oxford.. 


272 Zoological Society. 


Genus Bunearus, Daudin. 


Bunearus Livivus. Bung. superné lividus, subtus albo-flavescens. 
Scuta abdominalia 221. 
Scuta subcaudalia 56. 

Habitat. Asim. 

Blackish-blue above, yellowish-white beneath. 


Genus Hamapryas*, Cantor. 


Hamapryas opHiopuacus. Ham. superné olivaceo-viridis, striis 
sagittalibus nigris cinctus, abdomine glauco nigro marmorato. 

Scuta abdominalia a 215 ad 245. 
Scuta subcaudalia a 13 ad 32. 
Scutella subcaudalia a 63 ad 71. 

Habitat. Bengal. 

Hindustanee name: Sunkr-Choar. 

Olive-green above, with arrow-shaped black stripes; beneath, 

glaucous marbled with black. 


Genus Nasa, Laurenti. 


Nasa tarvata. Na. supra brunnea, striis subflavis transversali- 
bus variegata ; disco annulo albo, larve haud impari, ornato, 
pone quem (a tribus ad quinque) annuli albi ;—inferioris super - 
fictet pars anterior annulis albis, nigro-ccerulescentibus alternis 
circumdata, pars posterior glauco iridescens. 

Habitat. Bombay, Calcutta, Asam. 

Bengalee name: Doollah-Kewtiah Nag. 

Brownish, with numerous faint yellow transverse stripes; the 
hood marked with a white ring, not unlike the form of a mask, be- 
hind which there are from three to five white rings ;—the anterior 
part of the lower surface with alternate white and bluish-black rings ; 
the posterior part iridescent-glaucous. 

A young specimen of this serpent lives at present in the Society’s 
Gardens in Regent’s Park. The artificial temperature, 62° Fahr., 
in which it is kept appears to agree very well with the serpent, 
which in one respect offers a striking difference from the habits of 
this genus when kept in captivity in India, for the keeper informs 
me that it feeds occasionally upon living frogs and earth-worms, 
and that it drinks milk; while those in Dr. Russell’s and in my 
own possession in India, when deprived of liberty invariably refused 
to take any kind of food. 


Genus Exaps, Schneider. 


Exars sunearorpes}. El. superné lividus, striis sagitialibus albis 
cinctus ; infra albus alterné lividus. 
Scuta abdominalia 237. 
Scutella subcaudalia 46. 


Halitat. Chirra Punji. 
Black-blue above, with white arrow-shaped stripes; beneath, 


alternately white and black-blue. : 


* Vide Proceedings of the Zoological Society, No. Ixvi. p. 73. 
+ From its resemblance to Busgarus coeruleus, Daudin. 


Zoological Society. 273 


Exars Fuavicers. Ll, capite flavo, dorso nigro vitid serrata 
albé coeruleo pallide nitente utrinque circumdato, caudd flava 
lined nigra media divisd ;—abdomine flavo lined nigra utrinque 
incluso. 

Scuta abdominalia 275, 
Scutlella subcaudaha 45. 

Habitat. Malacca. 

The head yellow, the back with a serrate band on each side, 
shining with a pale sky-blue colour; the tail yellow, divided in the 
middle by a black dorsal line; the abdominal surface yellow, in- 
closed on each side by a black line. 

On my late visit to Copenhagen, Professor Reinhard pointed out 
an undescribed species of Bungarus from Java, preserved in the Royal 
Museum of Natural History (MSS. Cat., No. 128), which exhibits 
the same distribution of colours as the Elaps flaviceps, viz. the head 
and tail of a light yellow, the back bluish-black, the abdominal 
surface light yellow, the scuta marked with a short black transverse 
band or check on each side. 

Exars nicgromacutatus. £1, swperné pallidé brunneo-rubescens, 
maculis nigris albo-marginatis, lineis nigris junctis ;—caudd 
fascis duabus nigris albo-marginatis cincté ; abdomine flavo 
albescenti, alterne livido, lined nigra serrata utrinque incluso. 

Scuta abdominalia 238. 
Scuta subcaudalia 24. 

Habitat, Sincapore. 

Pale reddish brown above, with black white-edged spots, united 
by black lines; on the tail two black bands with white margins ;— 
the abdominal surface whitish yellow, alternately blue-black, in- 
closed on both sides by a black serrated line. 

Ears rurcatus*, Schneider, Var. £1. superné pallidée brunneo- 
rubescens, lined dorsal subflavd nigro serratim marginatd, caudd 
fasciis tribus nigris cinctd, abdomine flavo albescenti, lined nigra 
utringue incluso. 

Scuta abdominaha 238. 
Scutella subcaudalia 24. 

Habitat. Sincapore. 

Pale reddish brown, above with a light yellow dorsal line, with 
black serrated margins; on the tail three black bands; the abdo- 
minal surface whitish yellow, inclosed on each side by a black line. 


B. Innocuous Serpents. | 
Genus Catamaria, Linné. 

CALAMARIA saGiTraRIA. Cal. partim cinerea, partim ferruginea, 
serie dorsali punctorum nigrorum, nuchdé capiteque albicantibus, 
imagine sagitte nigre ornatis ; corpore squamis levibus imbri- _ 
catim tecto; abdomine citrino, punctis lateralibus nigris, vitta 
lividd utrinque incluso. 

Scuta abdominalia 224. 
Scutella subcaudalia 69. 
_ Habitat. Bengal, Tirhoot. 


* Russell, IJ., No. xix. 


274 Zoological Society. 


Partly ash-coloured, partly rusty-brown, with a series of black 
dots along the back; the head and neck whitish, with an arrow- 
shaped black mark; covered with smooth rhomboidal imbricate 
scales; the stomach of a citrine colour, with lateral black dots, and 
a blue black band on either side. 

Vernacular name, Ddoblee. 

CaLtaMaria monticota. Cal. olivaceo-fusca, collari leté flavo, 

lined dorsali albicante, abdomine citrino. 
Scuta abdominalia 125. 
Scutella subcaudalia 44. 

Habitat. Naga Hills in Asam. 

Dark olive-brown, with a bright yellow collar and a whitish dor- 
sal line ; beneath of a citrine colour. 


Genus CoroneE.ua, Boie. 


CoronELLA ALBocINCTA. Cor. viridé-canescens, fasciis transver- 
salibus albis nigro marginatis, quorum intervalla nigro punc- 
tata ; scutis abdominalibus albo-flavescentibus, alterné fuscts. 

Scuta abdominalia 181. 
Scutella subcaudalia 65. 

Habitat. Chirra Pinji, Asam. 

Greyish-green, with white transverse bands, edged with black, 
the intervals dotted with black; the abdominal scuta alternately 
yellowish-white and deep brown. 

Asamese name, Patdei-hee. 

CoroneLLta vioLacea. Cor. violaceo-rubescens, squamis albo- 

marginatis, subtus margaritaceis. 
Scuta abdominalia 196. 
Scutella subcaudahia 38. 

Habitat. Rungpore. 

Reddish violet; the scales edged with white; beneath pearl- 
coloured. 

CoronELua cyciura. Cor, viride-canescens stris ngris obliquis 
interruptis, abdomine margarilaceo, vitid tristé cinered utrinque 
incluso. 

Scuta abdominalia 179. 
Scutella subcaudalia 43. 

Greyish-green, with black oblique interrupted stripes; the ab- 
dominal surface pearl-coloured, with a deep ashy-grey band on 
either side. 

Vernacular name, Tukkr-Bora. 


Genus Lycopon, Boie. 


Lycopon atro-purrureus. Ly. atro-purpureus albo nigroque 
marmoratus, abdomine margaritaceo. 
Scuta abdominalia 257. 
Scutella subcaudalia 91. 
Habitat. Mergui, Tenasserim. 
Deep purple, marbled with white and black; beneath pearl. 
coloured. 
Lycopon susruscus. Ly. subfuscus, abdomine albo flavescentt. 


Zoological Society. - - Sie 


Scuta abdominalia 245. 
Scutella subcaudaha 78. 
Habitat. Bengal. 
Light brown; yellowish white beneath. 
Vernacular name, Chittee. 


Genus CoxuseEr, Boie. 


Cotuser Duumna., Col. olivaceo-viridis, squamis nigro-mar- 
ginalis, abdomine margaritaceo, scutis scutellisque nigro-cla- 
vatis. 

Scuta abdominalia 187. 
Scutella subcaudalia 119. 

Habitat. Carnatic, Orissa, Bengal, Nepal, Asim, Arracan, Tenas- 
serim. 

Olive-green ; the scales edged with black; the stomach pearl- 
coloured, edged with black. 

Vernacular name, Dhumna or Dhameen. 

Cotuser porPHyraceus. Col. leté porphyraceus, lineis nigris 
transversalibus albo-marginatis, pone quas linee due nigre 
dorsales, equidistantes ; subtus leté flavus. 

Scuta abdominalia 213. 
Scutella subcaudalia 64. 

Habitat. Mishmee Hills, Asim. 

Bright porphyry-red, with black transverse lines edged with 
white, the posterior portion of the body with two black parallel 
dorsal lines ; beneath light yellow. 

Cotusper quaprirasciatus. Col. superné leté brunneo-virides- 

cens fasciis dorsalibus iv. nigris, albo interruptis ; infra flavus. 
Scuta abdominalia 248. 
Scutella subcaudalha 82. 

Habitat. Asam. 

Above light greenish-brown, with 4 black dorsal bands interrupted 
with white ; beneath yellow. 

Co.uBeEr curvinostris. Col. supra partim leté olivaceo-viridis, 
punctis et lineis obliquis albis nigrisque, partim eneus ; abdomine 
subfusco. 

Scuta abdominalia 220. 
Scutella subcaudalia 85. 

Habitat. Bengal. 

Above bright olive-green, with white and black dots, and oblique 
bronze-coloured lines ; beneath light yellow. 

Vernacular name, 'Tukkr-Bora. 

CoLuBER RETICULARIS. Col. superne brunneo-nigrescens, annulis 
albidis reticulatis, contiguis et lineis ejusdem coloris transversa- 
libus ornatus, caudd brunned nigrescenti, alterné griseo-flaves- 
centt; mfra griseo-flavescens nigro-maculatus. 

Scuta abdominalia 229. 
Scutella subcaudalia 75. 
Habitat. Chirra Piinji. 
Blackish-brown, with whitish confluent netted rings and trans- 


276 Zoological Society. 


verse lines of the same colour ; the tail alternately blackish-brown 
and yellowish-grey ; beneath yellowish-grey spotted with black. 

CoLuBEr Brpuncratus. Col. supra tristé vinoso-purpureus squa- 
mis albo bipunctatis, subtus albo-ceerulescens. 

Scuta abdominalia 181. 
Scutella subcaudaha 52. 

Habitat. Bengal, Asim. 

Deep claret-purple above; each scale with two white dots ; be- 

neath bluish-white. 

CotuBeR MonticoLus. Hodgson. Col. superné luteo-rubescens 
fasciis transversalibus nigris, scutis abdominalibus albo-flaves- 
centibus nigro marginatis. 

Habitat. Nepal. 

Reddish dun-coloured above, with black transverse bands; the 

abdominal scuta yellowish-white, with black margins. 


Subgen. Hurriau, Daudin. 

HvRRIAH SANGUIVENTER, (COLUBER SANGUIVENTER, Hodgson.) 
Hur. superné vinoso-purpureus eneo nitens, abdomine sangui- 
neo. 

Scuta abdominalia 207. 
Scuta subcaudalia 14. 
Scutella subcaudalia 85. 
Habitat. Nepal. 
Above claret-purple, with metallic lustre ; beneath blood-coloured. 


Genus Herpetopryas, Boie. 


Herprrropryas prionotus. Her. supra fusco flavescens, nigro- 
punctatus, fascidque dorsal serrata nigricante ; abdomine flavo, 
fascié serrata nigricante utrinque incluso. 

Scuta abdominalia 153. 
Scutella subcaudalia 65. 
Habitat. Malacca. 
Above yellowish-brown, dotted with black, and with a serrated 
blackish dorsal band; the abdominal surface yellow, with a blackish 
serrated band on either side. 


Genus Psammopuis, Boie. 

PsAMMOPHIS CERASOGASTER. Psam. fulvus aureo pallidé nitens, 
squamis hexagonis rhomboidalibus summis carinatis, ceteris 
levibus tectus; abdomine ceriseo, lined lete flava utrinque in- 
cluso. 

Scuta abdominalia 149. 
Scutella subcaudalia 60. 

Habitat. Bengal, Asam. 

Yellowish-brown, shining with a pale gold colour, with hexagonal 
rhomboidal scales, the uppermost of which are keeled, the rest 
smooth; the abdominal surface cherry-coloured, with a bright yellow 
line on either side. 

Vernacular name, Lal Mitallee. 

PsaAMMOPHIS NiIGROFAsCcIATUS. Psam. superné subfldvo-rubescens 

fasciis latis transversalibus nigris, lineisque duabus barbatis 


Zoological Society. 277 


dorsalibus ejusdem coloris, interstitium quarum nigro partim 
punctatum ; abdomine albido. 

Scuta abdominalia 245. 

Seutella subcaudalia 75. 

Habitat. Sincapore. 

Light reddish-yellow above, with broad transversal black bands, 
and with two barbed dorsal lines of the same colour ; the interval 
between these dorsal lines dotted with black; the BE sur- 
face whitish. 

Genus Denpropuis, Boie. 


Denpropuis Bou.* Den. superné nigro-brunnescens, vittd dorsali 
subfuscd, abdomine albo-flavescenti vittd ejusdem coloris utrin- 
que incluso, rostro subobtuso. 

Scuta abdominalia 186. 
Scutella subcaudalia 129. 

Habitat. Bengal, Ceylon. 

Brownish black, with a light brown dorsal band; the abdominal 
surface yellowish white, with a band of the same colour on either 
side; the rostrum subobtuse. 

Vernacular name, Kalla Lawrynca or Nawdiinga. 


Genus Dipsas, Boie. 


Dirsas Frrrueinea. Dip. supra ferrugineo-brunnea, nigro albo- 
que raré maculata; abdomine ferrugineo-flavo, albo nigroque 
maculato. 

Scuta abdominalia 171. 
Scutella subcaudalia 57. 

Habitat. Asam. 

Rusty-brown, with a few black and white spots; the abdominal 

surface rusty-yellow, dotted with white and black. 

Dirsas monticota. Dip. superné tristé fusca, striis aliquot ni- 
gris obliquis ; infra flavo-brunnescens. 

Scuta abdominalia 193. 
Scutella subcaudalia 82. 
. Habitat. Naga Hills (As4m). 

Dull dark brown above, with a few black oblique stripes; be- 

neath brownish-yellow. 


Genus Troriponotvs, Kuhl. 

Tropiponotus Quinaus. Tro, superné griseo-brunnescens, nuché 
numero Quinque (v.) nigro inscriptd, fasctisque duabus nigris 
dorsalibus, albo punctatis; abdomine flavo-albescenti, fascid 
ngrd utrinque incluso. 

Scuta abdominalia 259. 
Scutella subcaudalia 97. 
Habitat. Mergui. 
Brownish-grey above, with the cypher V in black on the neck, 
and with two dorsal black bands dotted with white; the abdominal 
surface whitish-yellow, with a black band on either side. 


* Chrysopelea Boii, Dr. Andrew Smith. 


278  Loological Society. 


Tropipoxotus mMa@stus. Tro, superné tristé olivaceo-nigrians 
subtus flavus. 
Scuta abdominalia 138. 
Scutella subcaudalia 77. 

Habitat. Bengal. ~ 

Dull blackish olive-colour above; yellow beneath. 

Vernacular name, Kalla Mittéllee. 

Troriponotus surGens. T7'ro. leté olivaceo-viridis, abdom‘ne 

flavo lined nigra serrata utrinque incluso. 
Scuta abdominalia 148. 
Scutella subcaudalia 23. 

Habitat. Bengal. 

Bright greenish-olive; the abdominal surface with a black ser- 
rated line on either side. 

Vernacular name, Bahr. 

TRopiponotus pLuMBicoLor. Tro, supra plumbeus, fascid sagit- 

taldé occipitali nigra et alba fasciisque nigris serratis trans- 
versalibus, squamis alt@ carinatis tectus, mento albo, abdomine 
plumbeo. 

Scuta abdominalia 162. 

Scutella subcaudalia 51. 

Habitat. Malwa (Saugor). 

Lead-coloured above, with an occipital arrow-shaped black and 
white band, and with black serrated transversal bands, covered with 
sharply-keeled scales; the chin white; the abdominal surface lead- 
coloured. 

Genus Crerserus, Cuvier. 
CERBERUS CINEREUS. Cerb. superné cinereus fasciis nigris trans- 
versalibus, sublus albicans fascid nigra undulata. 
Scuta abdominalia 143. 
Scutellu subcaudalia 59. 

Habitat. Bengal. 

Ash-coloured above, with black transverse bands; beneath whitish, 
with a black undulated band. 

Vernacular name, JAl Ginthéa. 


Genus Homatopsis, Kuhl. 

Homatopsis outvaceus. Hom. superné olivaceus lineis nigris 
inter squamas variegatus, abdomine albicante, lined medid nigra 
diviso, vittd albo-virescenti utrinque incluso. 

Scuta abdominalia 167. 
Scutella subcaudalia 71. 


Habitat. Bengal. 
Olive-coloured above, variegated with black lines between the 


scales; the abdominal surface whitish, divided in the middle by a 
black line, and with a greenish-white band on either side. 
Vernacular name, Metillee. 
“The descriptions and figures of these serpents were made in India 
in 1835, 1836, and 1837. For the specimens from Asam I am in- 
debted to the kindness of the eminent botanist Mr. William Griffith ; 


Linnean Society. 279 


for those from Chirra Punji, to the friendship of Mr. J. W. Grant, of 
Calcutta. I have also to acknowledge the liberality of Mr. Hodg- 
son, the Hon. Company’s Resident at the court of Nepal, who 
allowed me to publish the undescribed specimens in his collection of 
Nepalese serpents.” 


LINNEZAN SOCIETY. 
Nov. 5, 1839.—Edward Forster, Esq., V.P., in the Chair. 


The Rev. William Wood, B.D., F.L.S., exhibited specimens of a 
variety of Typha angustifolia, remarkable for its small size, and the 
shortness of its female catkins, collected by himself in the extensive 
marshes situate between Sandwich and Deal. 

Read, “‘ Descriptions of some new Insects collected in Assam, by 
William Griffith, Esq., Assistant Surgeon in the Madras Medical 
Service.” By the Rev. F. W. Hope, M.A., F.R.S. & L.S. 

The insects described in this paper, some of which are remarkable 
for their size and splendid colours, were mostly collected in Assam 
by Mr. Griffith, during the stay of the late Scientific Mission from 
Calcutta, to which he was attached. They chiefly belong to the 
longicorn beetles, and to the family of Lamiade. The following are 
the characters of the new genera and species : 

LAMIA. 

1. L. Horsfieldii. 

Long. lin. 26; lat. lin. 84. 

Corpus cinereum; antennis corpore longioribus, elytrisque flavo-creta- 
ceis maculisque ornatis, antenne articulis tribus primis subscabris. 

This species, which has been named in compliment to Dr. Hors- 
field, is the largest of the family, and is nearly related to L. catenata 
of De Haan from Japan. 

G. N. EUOPLIA. 

Corpus subdepressum. Antenne lamizeformes, feré ut in Omacantha. 
Thorax utrinque spinosus, dorso punctulatus. L/ytra depressa, api- 
cibus 2-spinosis, spina suturali minore, lateralibus majoribus. In re- 
liquis Lamia convenit. 

1. C. polyspila. 

Besides the one enumerated, the author possesses five other species, 

all natives of India, and which are still undescribed. 
G. N. OPLOPHORA. 

Caput feré quadratum. Mandibule falciformes. Antenne corpore paulld 
longiores, articulis basi pallidis. Thorax utrinque armatus, dorso for- 
titér rugoso, tuberculo in medio disci posito. Lytra thorace 4-plé lon- 
giora, basi sinuata, subscabra, gradatim e humeris ad apicem magnis 
tudine decrescentia, apicibus rotundatis. Corpus infrd annulis abdo- 


280 Linnean Society. 


minis ad apicem sensim attenuatis. Pectus valdé convexum, mucrone 
armatum. /edes difformes et robusti. 

1. O. Sollii. 

This splendid species is dedicated to Richard Horsman Solly, 
Esq., F.R.S. & L.S., in whose cabinet the chief part of the insects 
described in this paper is contained. To the same genus belong 
Lamia punctata of Fabricius, and two undescribed Indian species. 


G. N. ANOPLOPHORA, 

Caput quadratum. Antenne corpore dupld longiores, ultimo articulo 
valdé elongato. Thorax utrinque spinosus, medio depressus. Llytra 
anticé et posticé feré cequalia, apicibus rotundatis. Corpus infra squa- 
mosum, pectore inermi. Pedes difformes et robusti. 

1. A. Stanleyana. 

This insect, distinguished for its brilliant colours, which rival those 

of some of the more splendid Lepidoptera, has been named in honour 
of the Lord Bishop of Norwich, President of the Linnean Society. 


CALLICHROMA, Lair. 
1. C. Cantori. 
Long. lin, 21; lat. lin. 5. 
Viride, nitidum; antennis violaceis, femoribus tibiisque leté cyaneis tar- 


sisque aureo-ornatis. 

This species is named in compliment to Dr. Cantor, a distinguished 
zoologist in the service of the East India Company, and whose va- 
luable collection of Indian Reptilia and drawings are deposited in the 
Radcliffe Library at Oxford. 

2. C.. Griffithii. 

Long. lin. 203; lat. lin. 8. 

Obscuré atrum; antennis tarsisque luteis, elytris nigris et flavo-fasciatis. 

This species is dedicated to its discoverer, an acute and enter- 
prising botanist, and author of two valuable memoirs on the deve- 
lopment of the ovulum of Santalum and Loranthus, printed in the 
18th Volume of the Society’s Transactions. 

MONOCHAMUS, Megerle. 

1. M. ruber. 


Long. lin. 11; lat. lin. 43. 
Ruber; antennis corpore duplo longioribus, thorace elytrisque nigro-ma- 


culatis, pedibus concoloribus. 
Read also, ‘‘ On Cuscuta epilinum and halophyta.” By Charles C. 

Babington, Esq., M.A., F.L.S. 
The first of these species has been recently added to the British 
Flora by J. E. Bowman, Esq., F.L.S., having been found by him 
growing abundantly on flax, near Trelydan Hall, Montgomeryshire, 


Linnean Society. 281 


in August last. The other species, which occurs on the coast of 
Norway, growing upon Chenopodee, has not been hitherto observed 
in this country. The author gives the following characters of the 
two plants :-— 

1. C. epilinum (Weihe), florum glomerulis bracteatis sessilibus, squamis 
palmati-subsexfidis tubo corolla semper ventricoso adpressis, sepalis 
carnosis basi deltoideis coroll4 vix brevioribus. 

2. halophyta (Fries), “ florum glomerulis subbracteatis”’ sessilibus, squa- 
mis bifidis tubo corollz ventricoso adpressis: segmentis bifidis, calyce 
corolla multd breviori. 


Nov. 19.—Edward Forster, Esq., V.P., in the Chair. 

Read, ‘‘ A Monograph of the genus Disporum.” By D. Don, Esq., 
Libr. L.S., Prof. Bot. King’s College. 

This genus was first suggested by Mr. Brown, in his ‘ Prodromus 
Flore Nove Hollandiz’; and the name of Disporum was subsequently 
given to it by Salisbury in the first volume of the Transactions of 
the Horticultural Society of London. It remained, however, unde- 
scribed, and almost unnoticed, until the publication of the author’s 
work on the plants of Nepal, in which a detailed description of the 
genus, and the characters of two additional species were given. 
The characters of the genus consist in its campanulate perianthium, 
with the sepals produced into a pouch or spur at the base, ir the 
cells of its ovarium bearing two ovula, in its baccate pericarpium, 
and in its umbellate inflorescence. These distinctions will be found 
to be common to all the Asiatic species hitherto referred by most 
botanists to Uvularia. We subjoin the characters of the species 
described in this paper. 

1. D. calearatum, umbellis pedunculatis sub-5-floris, sepalis lanceolatis 
acutiusculis basi longé calcaratis, antheris filamentis stigmatibusque 
stylo triplé longioribus, foliis ovato-lanceolatis sessilibus. 

Uvularia calcarata. Wall. Cat. n. 5087. 

2. D. Wallichii, umbellis subsessilibus sub-5-floris, sepalis lanceolatis 
acuminatis, calcaribus rectis abbreviatis, antheris filamentis 4-plo bre- 
vioribus, stylo stigmatibus longiore, foliis ovato-lanceolatis subpetio- 
latis. 

Uvularia Hamiltoniana, B. et C, Wall. Cat. n. 5088. 

3. D. Hamiltonianum, umbellis pedunculatis sub-5-floris, sepalis lanceo- 
latis acutis, calcaribus abbreviatis recurvis, antheris filamentorum longi- 
tudine, stylo stigmatibus subzequali, foliis ovato-lanceolatis subpetio- 
latis. 

Uvularia Hamiltoniana, A. Wall. Cat. n. 5088. 

U. Betua. Ham. MSS. 

4. D. Horsfieldii, umbellis pedunculatis sub-5-floris, sepalis spathulatis 

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.4. No. 24. Dec. 1839. x 


282 


Linnean Society. 


mucronatis puberulis, antheris filamentis dupld brevioribus, stylo stig- 
matibus dupl6é longiore, foliis ovato-lanceolatis subpetiolatis. 


Uvularia Hamiltoniana, 3. Wall. Cat. n. 5088. 


5. 


D. Leschenaultianum, umbellis sessilibus 3—5-floris, sepalis ovato- 
lanceolatis acutis basi gibbosis, antheris filamentis vix duplé breviori- 
bus, stylo stigmatibus ter longiore, foliis ovatis subpetiolatis. 


Uvularia Leschenaultiana. Wall. Cat. n. 5089. 


6. 


D. Pitsutum (Don, Prodr. p.50.), umbellis pedunculatis 7—9-floris 
sepalis cuneato-lanceolatis obtusiusculis basi gibbosis, antheris fila- 
mentis ter brevioribus, stylo stigmatibus duplé longiore, foliis lanceo- 
latis subpétiolatis. 


. D. parviflorum (Don, Prodr. p. 50.), umbellis subsessilibus 2—7-floris, 


sepalis lanceolatis acuminatis basi gibbosis, antheris filamentis duplé 
brevioribus, stigmatibus stylo ter brevioribus, foliis lanceolatis subpeti- 
olatis. 


. D. fuloum (Salisb. in Hort. Trans. i. p. 330.), umbellis sessilibus sub 


4-floris, sepalis lanceolatis acutis basi breviter calcaratis, antheris fila- 
mentis vix brevioribus, stigmatibus styli longitudine, foliis lanceolatis 
subpetiolatis. 


The author concludes his paper with the description of a new and 
nearly-related genus, founded upon a plant which was introduced 
from New South Wales into the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew, in 
1823, and which is remarkable for its unenclosed embryo, and for 
the singular appendages, similar to those of Parnassia, which are 
seated at the inner base of the sepals. The following is the descrip- 


tion 


of this interesting genus :— 
TRIPLADENIA. 


Perianthium 6-phyllum, petaloideum, patens, zquale, deciduum : foliolis 


zestivatione involutis, basi biappendiculatis! sessilibus. Stamina 6, 
toro, nec basi sepalorum inserta. Anthere erecte, extrorse, bilocu- 
lares, duplici rima longitudinali dehiscentes. Ovarium liberum, trilo- 
culare : loculis biovulatis: ovulis campylotropis, collateralibus, erectis. 
Stigmata 3, recurvata. Pericarpium subbaccatum, 3-loculare, 3-valve, 
loculicido-dehiscens : loculis 1—2-spermis. Semina sub-orbiculata, hine 
convexa, inde angulata, v. concaviuscula, glabra, nitida, colore suc- 
cinea, hilo maximé fungoso-strophiolato, chalazd orbiculaté concava 
fusca, raphide dimidio seminis vix breviori, elevaté: testé tenui, mem- 
branacea: albumen copiosum, corneum, album. Embryo oblongus, 
albus, hine convexus, inde planiusculus, more Graminum extra albumen 
locatus, eodemque facie plana applicatus, funiculo maximé strophiolato 
solummodo obtectus ! extremitate radiculari (cauliculari) paulld latiori. 


Herba (Nove Hollandiz) perennis, rhizomate multicepite, caulibus subsim- 


1. 


plicibus multangulis, foliis amplexicaulibus ovato-lanceolatis, pedunculis 
axillaribus solitartis unifloris infra medium articulatis involucelloque 
3-phyllo munitis. 

T. Cunninghamii. 


Miscellaneous. 983 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


NOTE RELATIVE TO DR. WESTENDORP S MEMOIR ON A NEW SPECIES OF 
EPILOBIUM, ERRONEOUSLY PUBLISHED AS MR. W. H. WHITE'S. 


From what we have just learnt with regard to this paper, it is our 
unwelcome duty immediately to make the following statement. A 
translation of it was published in our Ist volume, p. 208, as an ori- 
ginal paper by Mr. W. H. White, read before the Botanical Society 
of London on March 2nd, 1838, and communicated to us from the 
Secretary of the Society. It is, however, we are informed, merely 
a verbal translation of Dr. Westendorp’s memoir, which appeared in 
the Bulletin of the Brussels Royal Academy of Sciences for Novem- 
ber 1836. As this fact has been publicly denounced in the Bulletin 
for March last, and severely reprobated in a publication by Dr. Wes- 
tendorp, a regard to justice, as well as to the reputation of our Journal, 
calls on us to state all that has come to our knowledge, and to inquire 
what explanation can be given. 

Should this have happened through any mistake, we still must 
think that Mr. W. H. White ought, in justice to Dr. Westendorp, 
to the Botanical Society, and to ourselves, to have warned us of the 
error as soon as possible after it had occurred. 


BLOOD CORPUSCLES IN THE MAMMALIA. 


Mr. Gulliver has been lately occupied in some observations on the 
blood disks of mammalia, of which the following are some of the re- 
sults : 

In five Australasian animals the corpuscles have the form and size 
most common in mammals, their diameters varying from z,4,5th to 
sopoth of an inch. These Australasian animals are the Perameles 
lagotis, Petaurus Sciurus, Macropus Bennettii, Dasyurus Ursinus, and 
D. Viverrinus. 

In reference to the interesting discovery by M. Mandl of the oval 
blood corpuscles of the Dromedary, Mr. Gulliver has found the blood- 
disks of the Auchenia Vicugna, A. Paco, and A. Glama, also very di- 
stinctly elliptical. In the Vicugna they are rather smaller than in 
the other species. 

In the Musk Deer (Tragalus Javanicus) Mr. Gulliver observes 
that the blood disks are smaller than those, hitherto described, of 
any other mammal whatever. In the Tragalus, the disks, though very 
distinct in form, measure on an average ;gh5,th of an inch only ; 
but many variations in size are to be seen, from ¢s$yp th to ggggth 
of aninch in diameter. 

x2 


284 Miscellaneous. 


NOTES ON IRISH BIRDS. 

Quaint, Perdir Coturniz, Lath. This species, considered migra- 
tory in England with the exception of some few individuals that 
winter in the south*, has of late years remained permanently in the 
north of Ireland, and during winter occurs in considerable numbers. 
Throughout this season, quails are daily exposed for sale in the town 
of Belfast, and several brace often exhibited together in a single 
shop. In stating the following particulars respecting the number of 
these birds shot by a sporting relative during part of one winter, all 
that were obtained by him within that period are not enumerated, 
but merely those on the days mentioned, with the ‘‘ returns” of 
which I was favoured. On November 11th, 1834, my friend shot 
two and a half brace, and on the 13th two brace of Quails, and on 
the latter day saw altogether about seven or eight brace; on the 19th 
he obtained three brace. On December 10th he killed four and a 
half, and saw altogether about ten brace; on the 15th he bagged 
three birds. These were all obtained in their summer haunts in the 
county of Down, within six miles of Belfast. The same gentleman 
about the lst of January 1835, shot four brace of Quails in one day 
near Larne in the county of Antrim, and saw many more: he re- 
marks, that he never met with more of these birds when partridge 
shooting early in the season or in September than he has done 
throughout the month of December 1834; they were however con- 
sidered by him to be rather more numerous than usual that winter. 
It must be added, that in no instance above mentioned did my friend 
go purposely in pursuit of these birds; he was snipe-shooting, and 
merely when walking from one bog to another, the Quails occurred. 
In the winter of 1836-37, a person of my acquaintance in one day 
shot ten brace of Quails in stubble-fields bordering Belfast Bay, to 
the north of Carrickfergus. During the winter of 1831-32, and 
subsequently, they have chiefly attracted the attention of my friend 
and myself. 

Piemy Curiew, Tringa subarquata, Temm. This pretty species, 
characterized in the latest works of authority as a ‘rare visitant” to 
Great Britain, is one of our regular autumnal migrants to the north 
of Ireland. It first attracted notice here nearly twenty years ago, 
when an acute observer, the late John Montgomery, Esq. of Locust 
Lodge, distinguished the species from its congeners, and called Mr. 
Templeton’s attention to it. Since that period, the Pigmy Curlew 
may be set down from observation as a regular bird of passage, 
chiefly occurring in the months of September and October. I have 
never known it to be so plentiful in Belfast Bay as during the Sep- 

* Montagu and Selby. 


Miscellaneous. 285 


tember of this present year, when it appeared in considerable flocks 
—but few are generally seen together, and not rarely it is met with 
singly. 

Mr. H. H. Dombrain, of Dublin, informs me that he saw a few 
individuals of this species, and shot one at Lurgan Green, near Dun- 
dalk, at the beginning of November 1837. To the bay of Dublin 
the Pigmy Curlew resorts, as it does to the north-east of Ireland. 

The Litrie Srint, Tringa minuta, Leisl.,—which in reference to 
Great Britain is regarded only as a rare and occasional visitant, may, 
like the T. subarquata, be called a regular bird of passage in the 
north of Ireland. About the year 1823, Mr. John Montgomery saw 
a bird either of this species or of the allied Tringa Temminchii when 
out shooting on the extensive sands of Dundrum, in the county of 
Down, but from its shyness sought in vain to procure it. On Sept. 
6, 1831, the first Tr. minuta known to me as obtained upon our 
coast was shot in Belfast Bay, and came into the possession of Dr. J. 
D. Marshall; others were subsequently killed here in the same season. 
My attention having since that time been particularly directed to such 
subjects, I find by reference to notes, that every autumn from 1831 
to 1839 inclusive, with the single exception of 1835, when I was abs- 
ent from home, this bird appeared in Belfast Bay, though in every 
instance in very small numbers. Early in September, 1837, a flock 
consisting of nine individuals were seen in the bay, and although 
very wild, were so perseveringly followed, that within a fortnight 
they had all fallen victims to the gun. So early as the end of July 
they have been met with here. 

By Thomas W. Warren, Esq., of Dublin, I was favoured with a 
specimen of this bird, which he shot in Dublin Bay about the Ist of 
November, 1831. 

Rurr, Tringa pugnaz, Linn. Although I have not at present suf- 
ficient data to enable me to designate this species as a regular au- 
tumnal bird of passage to the north-east of Ireland, it may be set 
down as a frequent visitant at this period, when its sojourn is but of 

‘short continuance. So early as the end of August, 1828, when the 
first migration of snipes for the season arrived in the neighbourhood 
of Belfast, a few Ruffs were found associating with them—within 
the succeeding two months they have not unfrequently occurred. 
In spring too Ruffs arrayed in their nuptial garb have on a few oe- 
casions been obtained in different parts of Ireland. 

Ample details on the four species here noticed are reserved for 
their proper place in my series of papers on the Birds of Ireland, but 
such facts as those brought forward seemed to call for special an- 
nouncement.—W. Tuompson, Belfast, Oct. 1839. 


286 Miscellaneous. 


ON THE REMARKABLE DIFFUSION OF CORALLINE ANIMALCULES FROM 
THE USE OF CHALK IN THE ARTS OF LIFE, AS OBSERVED BY EHREN- 
BERG. 

An examination of the finest powdered sorts of chalk which are 
used in trade has afforded Professor Ehrenberg the following result, 
that even in this finest condition not merely the inorganic part of 
the chalk is become separated, but that it remains mixed with a 
great number of well-preserved forms of the minute shells of Coral 
Animalcules. As powdered chalk is used for paper-hangings, Pro- 
fessor Ehrenberg also examined these as well as the walls of his 
chambers which were simply washed with lime, and even a kind 
of glazed vellum paper called visiting cards, and obtained the very 
visible result,—demonstrating the minuteness of division of inde- 
pendent organic life,—that those walls and paper-hangings, and so 
doubtless all similar walls of rooms, houses, and churches, and even 
glazed visiting cards prepared in the above-mentioned manner (of 
which cards, many however, are made with pure white lead, without 
any addition of chalk) present, when magnified 300 diameters, and 
penetrated with Canada balsam, a delicate mosaic of elegant coral- 
line animalcules, invisible to the naked eye, but, if sufficiently mag- 
nified, more beautiful than any painting that covers them.—Pogg. 
Ann, 1839. No. 9. 


NOTE ON PELORIA. BY MR. ADAM WHITE.* 

Linneus, in the ‘ Amcenitates Academice’ for 1749 (i. p. 282. tab. 
3.) described and figured the Peloria as a distinct genus of plants, 
which he however subsequently in his ‘ Species Plantarum,’ (ii. p. 
859. ed. 2.) included with the Antirrhinum Linaria (Linaria vul- 
garis, DC.) of which he considered it a monstrosity (‘‘ nature prodi- 
gium”’) caused by the corolla of the plant becoming regular, that is 
being furnished with 5 lobes to the lip, 5 basal spurs and pentandrous 
flowers: even in 1763 Linnzus thought it might form a peculiar 
genus, ‘‘ nist fructus semper abortiret.” 

Since that time this kind of variation has been observed in many 
other plants, as for example by M. Mirbel in the Teucrium campanu- 
latum and many other Labiata (‘ Elémens de Physiologie Vegtenle,: 
&c. p' i. p. 221. note.). 

M. Bosc alludes to its occurrence in the genera Rhinanthus and 
Dracocephalum (‘ Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat.’ xxv. p.146.). 

M. Guillemin observed it in Sideritis (‘ Dict. Ch. d’Hist. Nat.’ xiii. 
p- 164.). 

M. DeCandolle has found it in several species of Linaria, An- 


* Read before the Botanical Society of London, 21st Dec. 1838. 


Meteorological Observations. 287 


tirrhinum, Digitalis, Sesamum, Galeopsis, Viola, Orchis, and hence be- 
lieves that it is a phenomenon common to all irregular flowers (‘ Or- 
ganographie Végétale,’ i. pp. 518. and 519. ed. 1827.). The last- 
mentioned author figures the Viola hirta in various states of pelori- 
zation; and Guillemin, in the work above-quoted, mentions that he 
has frequently found the Linaria spuria, DC., in the same state, some 
specimens with 5 spurs, others with 4, 3, or 2. I am indebted to a 
friend for the sight of a pelorian variety of a species of Tropeolum, 
and have also much pleasure in showing the Society an imperfectly 
developed pelorian variety of the pretty Pinguicula vulgaris, which 
I gathered on Roydon Fen, near Diss in Norfolk, in the summer of 
1835. This is perhaps interesting, inasmuch as it still further cor- 
roborates the inference drawn by M. DeCandolle, and because, as far 
as I am aware, the occurrence of such a monstrosity has not been 
before observed in the order Lentibularia. 

Linnzeus attributed the production of peloria to the fecundation of 
the Linaria by the pollen of another plant ; other authors think it is 
caused by the puncturing of insects, which produces a deviation in 
the flow of the sap. 

M. DeCandolle attributes it to ‘‘ the phenomenon of a glandular, 
thread-shaped body being developed into a true stamen,” (Organogr. 
u. 8.) when the other parts of the flower return to symmetrical ar- 
rangement. Apam Wuaire. 

December 7, 1838. 


METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR OCT., 1839. 

Chiswick.—Oct. 1. Foggy: very fine. 2. Foggy: rain. 3. Very fine. 4. 
Rain: stormy with rain at night. 5. Boisterous: clear. 6. Fine. 7. Cloudy: 
fine. 8. Hazy: very fine. 9. Very fine: heavyrain at night. 10. Showery: 
sultry at intervals, 11. Very fine. 12, Fine: rainat night. 13. Foggy: fine. 
14. Fine. 15,16. Slight fog: fine. 17. Foggy. 18. Drizzly. 19,20. Foggy: 
fine. 21,22. Hazy: fine. 23, 24. Rain. 25. Overvast: fine. 26, 27. Clear 
and fine. 28. Stormy: showersofrain. 29, 30. Hazy and cold. 31. Rain. 

Boston.—Oct. 1. Fine. 2. Cloudy: rainp.m. 3. Fine. 4. Rain: rain early 
a.m, 5. Cloudy: rain early am. 6. Cloudy. 7,8. Fine. 9. Cloudy. 10. 
Rain. 11. Fine, 12. Cloudy. 13. Cloudy: rainearly a.m. 14, 15. Cloudy. 
16. Fine. 17. Cloudy. 18. Cloudy: raina.m. 19. Fine. 20, 21. Foggy. 
22,23. Cloudy. 24. Rain. 25. Cloudy. 26. Fine: rain early a.m. 27. Fine: 
rainp.M. 28. Rain: rain early a.m. 29. Cloudy: rain: stormy night. 30. 
Stormy. 31. Cloudy. 

Applegarth Manse, Dumfries-shire.—Oct. 1. Wet throughout. 2 Very wet 
morning: cleared at noon. 3. Fair till 11 a.m., when began to rain. 4, Fair 
allday. 5. Finecalm day: hoar frost morning and ice. 6. The same : hoar 
frost still stronger. 7. A very good harvest day: getting cloudy p.m. 8. Driz- 
zling allday. 9. Thesame. 10. The same A.m.: fair p.m. 11. Fair through- 
out, 12. Thesame. 13. The same: overcast in the evening. 14. Drizzling 
allday. 15. Dull, cloudy, and damp: rainr.m. 16. Sunshine and showers 
alternately. 17. Very fine day: hoar frost early a.m. 18, 19. The same: ice 
on the ponds. 20. Very fine day. 21. Fair; but dull and foggy. 22. Fair till 
noon, when rain came on. 23. Rainall day. 24, Rain all day though slight. 
25, 26. Fair throughout. 27. Clear and temperate. 28. Fine October day. 
29. One slight shower, when it cleared. 30. Fair: air very keen. 31. The 
same: keen and cold like a day in March. 


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ANNALS OF NATURAL HISTORY. 


XXXI.—On Allium Porrum and A. Ampeloprasum. By 
Cuar.es C. Basinearton, M.A., F.L.S., F.G.S., &c. 


In my ‘Primitize Flore Sarnice,’ p. 95, I have mentioned 
the great difficulty which exists in distinguishing between A. 
Porrum and Ampeloprasum, and am induced to communicate 
the following attempt at their discrimination to the ‘ Annals 
of Natural History, in the hope that it may assist other bo- 
tanists in determining the plants. Unfortunately the root is 
not usually to be found upon specimens of such large size as 
these leeks, for when that is present there can be no difficulty 
in distinguishing the species; the root of A. Porrum (the 
true leek,) being formed of numerous concentric coats like 
that of an onion, producing no offsets whatever, and there- 
fore its duration being not more than biennial; whilst that of A. 
Ampeloprasum consists of a few concentric coats, including 
from two to four large offsets, and thereby somewhat resem- 
bling, in its transverse section, the bulb of a hyacinth, but 
having much larger offsets in proportion to the concentric 
coats. Happily the structure of the flowers, which at the first 
view appears similar in both plants, will supply us with ex- 
cellent characters when examined with care. I have endea- 
voured in the wood cuts which accompany this short commu- 
nication, to give some idea of the form of the germen, and of 
the form and proportions of the perigone and stamens in each 
plant. It will be seen that in both of them the germen is 
constricted at about the middle, but that in A. Porrum the 
constricted part is continued upwards, and in 4. Ampelopra- 
sum it is continued downwards ; this is best seen at the time 
of flowering, as the enlargement of the fruit often nearly ob- 
literates it, but will not be always found so strongly marked 
as in my figures. In the former the segments of the perigone 
are shorter than the common filament ef the 3-pointed 
Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. 4. No. 25. Jan. 1840. Y 


290 Mr.C.C. Babington on A. Porrum and A. Ampeloprasum. 


stamen, and the anther-bearing point is only half the length 
of either the common filament or of the barren points; but 
in the latter the segments of the perigone are longer than 
the common filament, to which the anther-bearing point is 
equal, but at the same time only one-third of the length of 
the barren points. 

In Gaudin’s Fl. Helv. v. ii. t. 11. the perigone of A. Ampe- 
loprasum is figured as longer than the stamens, and thus not 
at all agreeing with our plant, which more resembles his figure 
of A. rotundum, t. 10, in which he represents (and at p. 482 
describes) the stamens as longer than the perigone, differing 
in this from all other writers who have described A. rotun- 
dum, quoting Clusius, Hist. v. i. p. 196. (for 190.) for A. ro- 
tundum instead of A. Ampeloprasum, to which it is usually, and, 
as it appears to me, correctly referred, and omitting 4. Ampe- 
loprasum, Wald. and Kit. t. 82. which is generally considered 
as a good figure of A. rotundum. He has not given a repre- 
sentation of the root of A. rotundum, but those of A. Porrum 
and Ampeloprasum are pretty characteristic. I am not satisfied 
with his figures of the fruit. 


1. 4. Porrum. 2. A. Ampeloprasum. 


It is remarkable that all the writers to whom I have referred 
describe the heads of both these species as bearing cap- 
sules and not bulbs; for I find that some individuals of the 
former produce bulbs on the head, amongst the flowers, in 
cultivation, and that the same is the case with the latter in a 
wild state in Guernsey. 

I propose the following specific characters for these plants, 
both of which are distinguished from A. rotundum by seas 
exserted stamens. 


1. A. Porrum (Linn.). Caule ad medium folioso, foliis planis, 


The Rev. M. J. Berkeley on some new Fungi. 291 


umbella globosa capsulifera bulbiferave, filamentis 3 interioribus 
3-cuspidatis perigonio paulo longioribus, cuspide antherifera 
filamento ipso cuspidibusque sterilibus duplo breviore, bulbis 
simplicibus. Pars superior germinis contracta et dorsum utri- 
usque segmenti appendiculo transversali ascendente instruc- 
tum. 

2. A. Ampeloprasum (Linn.). Caule ad medium felioso, foliis 
planis, spatha elongata, umbella globosa capsulifera bulbiferave, 
filamentis 3 interioribus tricuspidatis perigonio paulo longiori- 
bus, cuspide antherifera filamentum ipsum subequante cuspidi- 
bus sterilibus triplo breviore, bulbo e bulbulis paucis in tunica 
nidulantibus formato. Pars inferior germinis contracta et dor- 
sum utriusque segmenti appendiculo transversali descendente 
instructum. 


St. John’s Coll., Cambridge, Nov. 1, 1839. 


XXXII.—Notice of some Fungi collected by C. Darwin, Esq., 
during the Expedition of H. M. Ship Beagle. By the Rev. 
M. J. BerKevey, M.A., F.LS. 


[With Plates, No. VIII. and IX.] 


Tue Fungi here noticed were placed in my hands some time 
since by Prof. Henslow. I am not certain whether they are 
all that were collected by Mr. Darwin, though it is probable, 
from the great mass of other matter upon his hands, that such 
is the case. Though the number is small, two of them at least 
are quite new, and the Dedalea is one of the most beautiful 
of its race. 

1. Polyporus sanguineus, Meyer (No. 464). 

Rio Janeiro. May. 

2. Stilbum lateritium, n.s. Gregarious, bursting from be- 
neath the bark, solitary or subfasciculate, pale brick-red ; 
stems about 1 line high, thickest at the base and dusky; often 
confluent and flattened, pruinose from the presence of short 
curved obtuse flocci. Capitula ovate or subhemispherical, 
minutely setulose. Sporidia oblong. 

Rio Janeiro. May. Withthe last. This is certainly very 
near to Stilbum cinnabarinum, Montagne, ‘ Ann. d. Sc. Nat.’ 
n. 8. Vol. viii. p. 360, a species found in Cuba, of which I have 

¥2 


292 The Rev. M. J. Berkeley on some Fungi 


received a specimen accompanied by a sketch, from the learned 
author, who most liberally sent me half of the only specimen 
he possessed. The habit is very different. There is a variety 
of St. lateritium from St. Vincent’s in Sir W. J. Hooker’s col- 
lection with a smooth stem. A third species, S. aurantiacum, 
approaching very near to either, has been lately discovered in 
Leicestershire by Churchill Babington, Esq. It is probable 
that at some future time it may be thought right to separate 
the three species from Stilbum. The structure of the capitula 
is distinctly filamentous, and the sporidia, in Mr. Babington’s 
plant at least, originate from the tips of the flocci. 

3. Thelephora lobata, Kz. Fr. in Linnea, (No. 599.) 

Rio Janeiro. May. 
4. Polyporus pinsitus, Fr. El. (No. 599.) | 
Rio Janeiro. May. 
5. Polyporus australis, Fr. (No. 600.) 
Rio Janeiro. June. 
. 6. Polyporus versicolor, Fr. (No. 1345.) 
Falkland Islands on the underside of timber. Entirely 
resupinate. 

7. Sporidesmium adscendens, n. 8s. Flocci bent at the base 
and filiform, flexuous, above abruptly incrassated ; apex at- 
tenuated, truncate. Forming elongated black patches on the 
pileus of Polyporus versicolor. Allied to Sporidesmium hor- 
miscioides, but in that species the threads have no distinct. 
thickened portion above as in the present species. The arti- 
culations contain a large globule. 

With the last. Falkland Islands. 

8. Dedalea erubescens, n. s. Cespitose, confluent. Pileus 
41 inches broad, coriaceous, depressed in the centre with the 
margin broadly deflexed, minutely velvety and silky, zoned, 
fulvous-cinnamon, nearly even, with the exception of one or 
two well-marked ridges; margin irregular, slightly fringed. . 
Gills broad, unequal, distinct, rigid, much jagged, tinged with 
pink towards the margin, running down to the very base of 
the stem, on which they anastomose, and are clothed with a 
beautiful velvety pile. Stem central, 2 inches high, 4 of an 
inch thick, solid, dilated upwards into the pileus, velvety 
marked with oblong reticulations from the decurrent gills, 


Ann. Nab rst Nol PLN. 


SBP 


ae 
dege 


Ow) Za 
oe” Saoadt 
Q& 


Sporidesmium adscendens, Berk. 


J. Base, tit: 


fig. 2. Stilbum laigritiam, Lark. 
4 


Wie. Nat, flix? Vol WV. PL. TX. 


‘ _ 
: sql) 
| 

italia 


DLDiothiben erudbescens, Berk. 


J Basire, lth: 


collected in the expedition of the Beagle. 293 


fulvous-cinnamon, growing out of a thick spongy mycelium, 
which is attached to wood and leaves. 

It is matter of doubt whether this species should be placed 
in Dedalea or Lentinus, though the habit is rather that: of the 
former genus. The gills are not the least sinuous, and do 
not anastomose at all above; their colour is nearly that of 
deep tinted specimens of D. diennis. The pileus resembles 
somewhat that of Polyporus perennis, and in young plants 
is probably infundibuliform. The sporidia appear to have 
fallen out entirely, asis in general the case with exotic Hyme- 
nomycetes, and the cells of the surface of the hymenium have 
grown since the plant was gathered, so that the form of the 
sporophores (dasidia, Decaisne) cannot be detected. This is 
frequently the case in the coriaceous fungi, and can only be 
prevented by very prompt drying, care being taken to place 
the specimen when laid to dry in its natural position. No 
number being attached to this species, I am not able to say 
where it was gathered, but probably at Rio Janeiro. 

Two other species are in the same collection which I am 
unable to determine; one a byssoid production, of doubtful 
affinity, from Terra del Fuego, No. 496; the other an imper- 
fect Thamnomyces (probably 7. chordalis) from Rio Janeiro, 


No. 575. 
EXPLANATION OF PLATE VIII. 


Fig. 1. a. Sporidesmium adscendens on resupinate Polyporus versicolor, na- 
tural size. 
b, c, d. Filaments, more or less magnified. 
Fig. 2. a. Stilbum lateritium on bark, natural size. 
b. The same, magnified. 
. Two individuals more highly magnified. 
. Flocci, of which the capitula are composed. 
e. Sporidia. 


No 


PLATE IX.* 


Dedalea erubescens. 


* Plate IX. will be given next month in the Supplement Number. 


294 Dr. Philippi on Pandorina coruscans. 


XXXIII.—Zoological Notices. By Dr. A. Puitipri*. With 
Plates III. and IV. 
[Continued from p. 96.] 

6. Pandorina coruscans, Scacchi. Plate IV. fig. 1—4. 
Sr. ArcAnGELO Scaccur has described this remarkable 
genus in his ‘ Osservazioni Zoologiche,’ p. 14 (May 1833), in 
the following words: “Testa bivalvi, transversim oblonga, 
alba; latere antico (i. e. anali) productiore, truncato, hiante ; 
postico (i. e. orali) rotundato ; valvis inzequalibus, fragilissimis, 
subpellucidis, tus margaritarum nitore coruscantibus, ex- 
terius ad ambitum tenuissimo epidermide obductis, longitu- 
dinaliter striatis, ad umbones leviusculis; striis transversis 
obsoletis ; valva dextra (i. e. sinistra) majore, umbone ac limbo 
superiore (i. e. ventrali) sinistram superante ; valva sinistra 
(i. e. dextra, si animal incedens inspicitur) inferius ad latus an- 
ticum (i. e. posticum) super dextram producta; membrana 
preetenui ad latera umbonum valvas revinciente ; cardine eden- 
tulo ; linea prominula obliqua pro ligamenti insertione ; liga- 
mento tantum interno oblongo; ultra pollicem lata, altitu- 
dine 5 lin.” To this description I have only the following 
remarks to add. ‘The longitudinal striz are extremely deli- 
cate, elevated, and every fourth is as it were beset with small 
points, which proceed from the epidermis. 'The membrane, 
which unites posteriorly the dorsal margin of the shells, I 
would without hesitation call an external ligament. An area 
and a lunula may be distinguished, which are rather sharply 
defined, and are smoother than the rest of the shell: both are 
narrow and asymmetrical ; the Junula is broader on the left 
shell, the area on the right. The muscular impressions are 
tolerably near to the margin; the anterior one is longitudi- 
nally oval, the posterior one more quadrate and far nearer to 
the margin on the left shell than on the right, which corre- 
sponds to the line defining the area. The impression of the 
mantle has a very slight incurvation, which forms nearly a 
right angle with the part of the shell parallel to its ventral 
margin. This indicates two very short tubes, which the ani- 
ma! actually possesses. The hinge is quite toothless ; never- 


© Translated from Wiegmann’s ‘ Archiv,’ Part 2. 1839.—The Plates will 
be given next month, in the Supplement. 


Dr. Philippi on Pandorina coruscans. 295 


theless the margin projects directly before the vertex of the 
right shell in the form of a little tooth (see fig. 3.). The ca- 
vity for the ligament runs very obliquely backwards and is 
perfectly linear, To my great surprise, I found in my three 
young specimens, instead of the ligament, a bone, as in Osteo- 
desma and others, of an elongated nearly pentagonal form, 
with the apex directed anteriorly, the slightly hollowed basis 
posteriorly, and moderately gibbous on the ventral side*. 

The animal of Pandorina has, according to a drawing com- 
municated to me by Sr. Scacchi, two short slightly project- 
ing siphons, with fringes at the margin, and a long compressed 
and narrow foot, the situation of which proves that at least a 
third part of the mantle anteriorly is split. 

I had found this shell in a fossil state in Sicily, and named 
it Pandora? equivalvis in my ‘ Enumeratio Molluscorum Sici- 
liz, and I also noticed the resemblance and difference be- 
tween it and Pandora as far as they were to be seen on the 
fossil specimens. The principal differences in the shell are as 
follows: 1. The right half is perfectly flat in Pandora, in Pan- 
dorina only a little less vaulted. 2. Pandora has teeth on 
the hinge. Lamarck’s statement in ‘ Hist. Nat. des Anim. 
sans Vert.’.is not good ; on the contrary, that of Deshayes in 
the second edition of the same work is excellent : they consist, 
on the left shell, in a front tooth (which in those Pandore that 
I have at hand to compare is perfectly flat), and a deep cavity 
between it and the ligament, nto which fits a tooth of the 
right flat shell. In Pandorina every trace of a tooth has dis- 
appeared on the left shell, and on the right one only an ex- 
ceedingly slight analogue to it exists in the projection of the 
margin. 3. Pandora has quite simply an internal ligament. 
I must however remark, that Pandora appears to me to pos- 
sess also a second ligament, namely, immediately at the mar- 
gin, fig. 5 a; fig. b. is the usual one. 4. Pandora has a per- 
fectly simple muscular impression, whilst in Pandorina only a 


* Sr. Scacchi remarks, ‘Enum.,’ p. 6. Note on Zhracia, “in utraque 
specie reperimus ossiculum mobile ad cardinem, quum specimina juniora 
observavimus ; at in adultioribus seu majoribus etiam cum mollusco perqui- 
sitis, illud nunquam invenimus. Miramur sane ossiculum illud adolescente 
conchylio evanescere; sed sic observatio pluries repetita nos cogit opinari, 
neque inspectio testarum suspicari permittit, specimina majora diversas con- 
stituere species.” May not this also be the case-with Pandorina? 


\ 


296 Dr. Philippi on Pandorina coruscans. 


slight incurvation of the mantle can be recognised. From 
this it appears that Pandorina* is certainly the most nearly 
allied to Pandora; but on account of the internal bone of the 
ligament, the absence of teeth to the hinge, the gaping of the 
posterior side, this genus also joins on to Thracia, which (at 
present I can only compare Thr. phaseolina or Tellina papy- 
raced, Poli) is distinguished by a short external ligament rest- 
ing on distinct nymphe, by a far more decided incision be- 
neath the apex and a deeper incurvation of the mantle ; here 
too the left shell is the more convex, as in Corbula, not the 
right one, as in Pandora and Pandorina. But Pandorina is 
distinguished from both these by the longitudinal strie, which, 
as far as I am acquainted, do not occur in them or even in 
the whole family of the My@ and Corbule. 

From this last circumstance, the complete absence of hinge 
teeth, the double ligament, the brittleness of the shell, and lastly 
from the thinness of the epidermis which covers the whole 
shell, Pandorina brings to mind the singular genus Galeomma, 
which is truly very different at first sight, from the equality 
of the shells and the wide gaping of the ventral side, as also 
from the existence of only one tube, or if we choose the second 
obliterated, as in Solenomyat ; nevertheless, I believe that Ga- 
leomma is more nearly allied to this genus than to any other. 
M. Deshayes, who was only acquainted with the mere shell, 
classes it with Glycymeris, which genus however differs very 
considerably by its very thick epidermis, rather reminding us 
of Solenomya, its strong prominent nymphe, its small foot, 
its slightly slit mantle, and the long thick cohering siphons. 

There are at present therefore six genera with a little bone 
in the ligament: Anatina, Lamarck, Desh.; Periploma, Schum. ; 
Osteodesma, Desh.; Thracia, Leach; Pandorina, Scacchi, which 
all belong to the family of the Myaceew, to which Deshayes 
with good reason unites the Corbulacee; and Cleidotherus, 
Sow., which is allied to the Chame. 


* See note in the following article, p. 305. 

+ On the outside of Solenomya where we expect to find the anal tube, it 
presents a circle of papillz, which is however not perforated, as is very accu- 
rately stated by Sr. Scacchi. This explains why M. Deshayes has ascribed 
two siphons to the Solenomya, I on the contrary only one. We both saw 
correctly, but not accurately enough. 


Dr. Philippi on the Animal of Astarte incrassata. 297 


Prare lV. Fig. 1. Pandorina coruscans, Scac., a small specimen, lying upon 
the left, more strongly vaulted, shell. 
Fig. 2. The same lying on the ventral side in order to show the area 
and ldunula. 
3. The same opened and twice magnified. 
a. The little bone in the ligament. 
b. The cavity into which the bone fits. 
c. The external ligament. 
Fig. 4. The animal of Pandorina after a drawing of Sr. Scacchi. 
Fig. 5. A shell of Pandora rostrata for comparison. 
a. An external ligament? 
b. The internal ligament. 
c. The hinge tooth. 
7. On the Animal of Astarte incrassata, De la Jonk. 
Plate IV. fig. 6. 

I obtained two specimens of this rare animal which were 
still alive, but as they would not open their shells I was com- 
pelled to use force. The animal was therefore seen in a half 
contracted state: the mantle is almost entirely split: a nar- 
row band separates posteriorly a small roundish aperture, 
which supplies the place of the anal and branchial tubes, as 
was to be expected from the analogy of the shell with that of 
the genus Venus. At the margin of this aperture, as well as 
at the margin of the hinder portion of the front aperture, the 
mantle is of a dark brown colour and beset with very delicate 
white filiform cirri. More anteriorly these cirri become smaller 
and take in some degree the shape of white folds. The foot is 
securiform, acute behind and in front, therefore constricted, 
and in this way distinctly separated from the mass of the in- 
testines ; it is of a scarlet red colour. The branchie are dissi- 
milar; the interior one is nearly triangular, and exhibits a 
dorsal, a ventral, and a front side. It is connected by the 
dorsal side to the outer branchia, which is only about half the 
size, not projecting so far anteriorly, and is rounded where the 
inner one exhibits the strongly projecting angle. Both the 
branchiz are fastened by their common apex to the narrow 
connexion of the two lobes of the mantle between its anterior 
and posterior aperture, yet so slightly, that they are easily 
separated. The appendices buccales are two in number on each 
side, small and oblong. 


Sr. Scacchi observed this animal some year's ago, and gave 


298 Dr. Philippi on the Animal of Astarte incrassata. 


a short description of it in his ‘ Osservazioni Zoologiche,’ 
(No. II. May 1833, p. 15.) which are but little known. His 
statements perfectly agree with my observations, with this one 
exception, that I cannot find the large reddish brown spot 
which he saw on the mantle in the region of the umbones. I 
must also fully subscribe to his views upon the systematic 
classification of the animal which he adds to his description. 
The description proves that the animal of Astarte has no re- 
semblance to that of Venus, as was supposed from the consti- 
tution of the shell by Cuvier, ‘ Régne Animal,’ edit. 2. vol. iii. 
p- 150, and Rang, ‘ Manuel de Malacol.’ p. 314, and Deshayes 
in Lamarck, ‘ Hist. d. Anim. sans Vert.’ edit. 2. vol. vi. p. 256, 
but on the contrary it quite agrees with Cardita. 

I cannot help remarking on this occasion, how frequently 
the laws of analogy which we expect to find between animal 
and shell fail in the Molluscs. Whilst in the vertebrate ani- 
mals, almost without exception, a similar osseous skeleton, and 
even some similar bones, necessarily belong to animals which 
are also similarly formed in their other systems, we find that 
in very many cases this is not so in the molluscs. To quite 
similarly formed shells belong animals of decidedly different 
structure. I only refer to Vermetus and Serpula, Sigaretus 
or Coriocella, and Cryptostoma* and Buccinum, Lamk., where 
B. undatum is hardly distinguishable from Fusus antiquus by 
anything but its black spots, whilst B. Linnei and B. macu- 
losum agree with Purpura, Columbella and Mitra; and many 
other species, as B. mutabile, greatly differ from both men- 
tioned forms ; lastly, Fusus and Pleurotoma. On the con- 
trary, a very similar animal often inhabits very dissimilar shells. 
I will mention for example Achatina and Carocolla, Mitra and 
Purpura, Cerithium and Rostellaria pes pelecani, Cardita and 
Astarte, &ce. 

I have still one correction to add concerning the synonyms 
of Astarte incrassata. I formerly added to this the Venus Dan- 
moniensis and V. sulcata of English authors ; but my friend 
M. Koch has pointed out to me that the English species is 
decidedly distinct. M. Deshayes also in his second edition 
of Lamarck, represents the Astarte incrassata (Venus incras- 


* See note in the following article, p. 307. 


Dr. Philippi on the Animal of Pleurotoma Bertrandi. 299 


sata, Brocchi,) and A. fusca (Tellina fusca, Poli,) as two di- 
stinct species (p. 257.), but I must persist in my view, that 
they are identical. I have at this moment twelve perfect in- 
dividuals before me; in which I find every transition, from a 
perfectly smooth shell, only obliquely grooved at the apices, 
to one which is covered as far as the margin with great regu- 
lar grooves. Moreover, the shell is sometimes flat, sometimes 
strongly vaulted. 


Fig. 6. Astarte incrassata, de la Jonk. One and a half times magnified. 
The upper mantle lobe is thrown back in some degree, in order to 
show the form of the foot and the two branchiz. 


8, On the Animal of Pleurotoma Bertrandi, Payr. Plate IV. 
fig. 7. 

I have also now seen the living animals of two species of 
Pleurotoma; Pl. Bertrandi was very frequent. That which 
greatly distinguishes the animals from Fusus is, that they are 
quite without operculum. The foot when stretched out is some- 
what longer than the last whorl of the shell, rather narrow, 
truncated anteriorly, and slightly emarginate, with an oblique 
groove; narrowed gradually posteriorly, and at last emargi- 
nate. The branchial tube projects tolerably far out of the 
canal. The head is small; the tentacula are short, filiform and 
obtuse, thickened half-way up, where they carry the eyes exter- 
nally ; they do not unite in an acute angle, as is the case in 
Fusus, Murex, Mitra, but the head forms a slightly rounded 
projection, just such a one as is seen in the species of Trito- 
nium. The colour is transparent, marbled with yellowish-white, 
sometimes with reddish-white opake points upon the siphon. 
The other species, either PJ. gracile* or a new nearly allied 
species, is distinguished, with regard to the animal, from the 
present species solely by the foot being posteriorly acute, and 
the siphon being decidedly spotted with red. 

Fig. 7. Pleurotoma Bertrandi, Payr. Magnified four times. 


9. On the Eggs of Vermetus gigas, Bivona. Plate IV. fig. 8. 


During October and November I found Vermetus gigas 
almost always with eggs in different stages of development. 
They are inclosed in oval, flatly compressed cases, which have 


* This is Murex attenuatus, Mont. Test. Brit.—J. E. G, 


300. Dr. Philippi on the Hersilia apodiformis. 


at one end a point with an aperture, the membrane forming 
the envelope being contracted into anarrow chord. The less 
developed smaller cases are nearly 2! long and 1! broad, and 
contain about twenty to thirty yellow eggs, which appear to 
be kidney-shaped when slightly magnified, but when more 
strongly magnified they already show 1 to 14 whorls of a 
shell. The larger egg cases are nearly twice the size, and the 
embryos may be very plainly seen. We recognise a regular 
shell of two whorls wound to the right, and two black eyes 
behind, which have between them a blackish stripe, the intes- 
tinal canal; the aperture of the shell is extended beneath, 
as in Proto, Defrance. I did not succeed in examining the 
embryo more accurately. The young shell did not dissolve in 
vinegar, and from this appears to‘be of a horny nature. In try- 
ing to lay bare the little animal by compression, it was com- 
pletely crushed every time. 
Fig. 8. Eggs of Vermetus gigas, Biv. 

a. A mass of eggs but little developed. 

b. One more developed, in which the embryos are already furnished 

with one whorl and a half of the shell; both of the natural size. 


c. An embryo strongly magnified, with two perfect whorls of the shell. 
The eyes and the alimentary canal are seen through. 


10. Hersilia* apodiformis, a new Genus of Entomosiraca. 
Plate IV. figs. 9, 10, 11. 


On the second of November I found in some sea water two 
small Crustacea, which at first sight appeared to be similar to 
Apus, with a long tail and swimming about very briskly. A 
closer examination proved that they were two pairs in the act 
of coitus, which I was able to place under the microscope 
without their separating; one pair even held together after 
death ; the tail was the male. They differed in colour; in one 
pair the female was perfectly transparent, the male on the 
contrary coloured with large purplish red moveable points ; in 
the other pair it was the reverse, the female was so coloured 
and the male colourless. From this I suppose that the co- 
lour is only in consequence of the food taken. 


* This name will require to be changed, having been used by Savigny for 
a genus of Spiders. | 


Dr. Philippi on the Hersilia apodiformis. 301 


The female, without the tail bristles, is rds of a line long, 
and oval; the male not quite half so long, and narrower. 
The body was quite covered by a quadriarticulated shield ; 
the first segment occupies nearly the half of its length, the 
last a fourth, the second and third each an eighth part ; the 
first three segments have a point on each side at the end. 
On the first segment I saw in front two round points at a 
moderate distance from each other, which I am inclined to 
take for eyes. Under the shield anteriorly only the two 
great antenne appear, posteriorly the tail and the extre- 
mities of the posterior legs. The antennz are only two 
in number, inserted beneath the shield, near to the anterior 
_ margin. They attain to half the length of the body, and ap- 
pear to consist of five articulations. The basal joint is very 
short, concealed beneath the shield; the second articulation 
is longest of all, then the fifth; the fourth is the shortest 
after the first. Perhaps the fifth consists of several arti- 
culations: I was however unable to assure myself of this. 
Anteriorly all these joints are ciliated with long stiff bristles, 
posteriorly there is only one bristle at the end of every joint. 
There are four pairs of distinct feet; one to each segment of 
the shield. The three first pairs are quite similarly formed, 
and consist of a biarticulated stalk, which bears two ramifica- 
tions. The stalk has posteriorly a long bristle on the first 
joint, a shorter one on the front end of the second. The front 
ramification consists of three articulations, of which the third 
is as long as the two first together; it has upon its anterior 
side three strong bristles, and posteriorly five longer but weaker 
ones, whilst the two first articulations have only a short bristle 
at the anterior end. The hinder ramification is just as long 
and has also three articulations, but these are alike and densely 
beset with cilia on the posterior side. The fourth pair is 
simple, biarticulated ; the first articulation is very short, the 
second rather long and armed with four bristles. The tail is 
about the third part of the whole length of the animal, but 
only half of it projects from beneath the shield. It is not di- 
stinctly articulated, tapering towards the end, and terminates 
in two obtuse small projections, each of which bears five long 
bristles. The inner bristles are the longest, in the male more 
than half as long as the body, in the female considerably 


302 Dr. Philippi on the Hersilia apodiformis. 


shorter. In the tail on each side is the orifice for the female 
sexual apparatus. 

What I could observe of the cibarian apparatus is as fol- 
lows: Behind the tentacula are two diverging mandibles, 
which are of the form of an obtuse-angled quadrant, and upon 
the posterior side of the second joint it is beset with long and 
thick cilia. Between their insertion is a triangular space with 
the apex directed posteriorly, perhaps the mouth. Beneath 
the cilia, on each side, are three mazille, which terminate in 
a forked bristle, and consequently remotely remind us of the 
pincers of Limulus. In both sexes between these parts and 
the first pair of feet is situated a foot jaw on each side. It is 
nearly quadrate, and terminates at the anterior and inner angle 
in a long acute tooth: on the front side it also carries a small 
appendage of a vesicular form, and exteriorly a biarticulated 
flagelliform palpus. I could not distinctly recognise the sexual 
apparatus of the male from the minuteness of the animal. Two 
large almost clavate organs which were inserted in the vulva of 
the female are situated on both sides of the mouth, besides 
which there are two antenniform setigerous organs, which take 
their origin close behind the true antenne. At first sight the 
animal reminds us of Apus by its great shield, but it is more 
nearly allied to Cyclops by its tail and the biramified legs. It 
is still more nearly allied to the genus Sapphirina of Thom- 
son, with which I am acquainted only from Lamarck’s ‘ Hist. 
Nat.’ (2nd edit. &c. vol. v. p. 171.), which also has a flat com- 
pressed shield-like body, biramified legs, and only two tenta- 
cula, but is distinguished from it by a shield of nine seg- 
ments and four pairs of biramified legs. The essential cha- 
racters are briefly contained in the following description : 
Corpus clypeo magno e segmentis quatuor formato obtectum. 
Antennz dua magne, filiformes, 5-articulate. Pedum paria 
quatuor, tria pinna bifida, quartum simplex. Cauda apice 


bifida et setigera. 
Fig. 9. Hersilia apodiformis, mihi. A female lying on its back. Sixty times 
magnified. 
i. The eyes. 
a. The mandibule ? 
b. The maxille. 
ce. The foot jaw with its biarticulated flagelliform palpus. 
d. The three pairs of biramified legs. 


Dr. Philippi on a new genus of Entomostraca. 303 


e. The pair of simple legs. 
f. The vulva. 
Fig. 10. The male in the act of coitus hanging to the tail of the female, mag- 
nified with the same power. 
g. The posterior antenne ? 
h. The two penes. 
Fig. 11. A female of Hersilia apodiformis. Natural size. 
11. Peltidium purpureum, a new genus of Entomostraca. 
Plate IV. fig. 12 and 13. 

I have only one specimen of this little animal, which is 
scarcely 2! in size. The body is expanded in a shield of seven 
segments, which in its general contour is ovate. The first 
segment is nearly as large as the following segments together, 
and has in some degree the form of a trapezium whose base is 
turned backwards, and is bounded by a concave line. Ante- 
riorly it has a truncated protuberance, on which two small 
round points appear, and probably are the eyes. The following 
five segments are of a narrow crescent form ; the last and small- 
est is again in the form of a trapezium. Behind this projects 
the very short two-pointed tail; each of its points is furnished 
with four bristles, of which the inner one is the longest. The 
antennee are two in number; they proceed from the angles 
which the first seement forms with its appendage, attain nearly 
a third part of the length of the animal, and consist of six 
short articulations, the two last of which are very small. On 
the front side, and especially at the apex, they are provided 
with long bristles. I find six pairs of legs. The first pair, 
which appear to be inserted after the first segment, is simple, 
and seems to consist of three articulations only. (Fig. 13, c.) 
The second articulation, somewhat thickened at its base, has 
a tooth towards the end of the hinder side; the third articu- 
lation is a narrow moderately curved claw. The following 
four pairs of feet are biramified, and have this character in 
common, that the hinder or inner branch originates at a mo- 
derate distance from the apex of the stalk. (See fig. 13. d, e, f’) 
Both the outer and inner branches of the second pair have two 
articulations, and the first branch is twice as long as the second. 
Its second articulation is the longest, and ends with three 
short bristles, two of which are bent in the form of a hook. (d.) 
The third pair (e.) is distinguished from the two following 


304 ~=Dr. Philippi on a new genus of Entomostraca. 


by its inner branch being triarticulated, whilst the latter have 
only two joints. The outward branch is in them also triarticu- 
lated ; the first and second have at the end in front a thick 
bristle, and posteriorly a similar one in the centre; the last joint, 
which is twice as long as the preceding, has in front four short 
strong bristles, and behind five longer weaker bristles. The 
last pair of feet is again simple, biarticulated? the last joint 
longish, slightly curved, and has three spines exteriorly, four at 
the apex, and one behind. (g.) From the small size of the 
animal, and as I had only one specimen, I could but very im- 
perfectly distinguish the cibarian apparatus. Nevertheless I 
plainly saw, in the first place, behind the antenne, a mandible, 
consisting of two linear joints of equal length and breadth, 
the first of which bears posteriorly in the centre a four- 
branched bristle, and the last one several simple bristles at the 
end (see fig. 13. a.), manifestly the same organ which appears 
in a slightly differing form in Hersilia; in the second place, a 
Soot jaw? likewise consisting of two equally long joints ; the 
second of these is very narrow, and bears at the apex a short 
unguis or some very short bristles. (d.) 

The colour of the animal was a dark purplish-red; the an- 
tenne, tail, and legs pale red; the fore margin of the cephalic 
appendage colourless. 

This genus stands between Hersilia and Sapphirina, and is 
distinguished from both of them by the different number of 
thoracic segments and of the feet, as well as by the structure 
ofthe first pair of feet. It may be thus briefly characterized : 
Corpus clypeo magno, e segmentis septem formato obtectum ; 
segmento primo maximo. Antenne due magnz sexarticu- 
late. Pedum paria sex; par primum simplex, ungue longo 
terminatum ; paria secundum, tertium, quartum et quintum 
ramos duos gerentia ; par sextum simplex. Cauda apice bi- 
fida et setigera. 

Fig. 12. Peltidum purpureum mihi, natural size. 
Fig. 13. The same lying on its belly, magnified sixty times. 
a. The mandibles. 
b. The. foot jaw ? 
ce. A foot of the first pair. 
d 


. A foot of the second, e. of the third, f. of the fourth or fifth, g. of 
the sixth pair. 


Mr. J. E. Gray on Philippi’s Zoological Notices. 305 


XXXIV.—Notes on Dr. Philippi’s Zoological Notices in the 
preceding Article. By J. E. Gray, Esq. 


Pileopsis Garnoti, Payraudeau. 


In Dr. Philippi’s account of the animal of this shell, (No. 22. 
p- 90,) he does not appear to be aware that I established a ge- 
nus for it under the name of Gadinia in the Philosophical Ma- 
gazine for April 1824, where I showed the difference between 
it and Siphonaria. It certainly is not Aemea of Esschholtz, 
which is synonymous with my genus Loftia (Phil. Trans. 1833) 
and Quoy and Gaymard’s Patelloides. 

Mr. G. Sowerby, in consequence of some confusion, has in 
the Proceedings of the Zoological Society described two or 
three other species of the genus Gadinia under the name of 
Mouretia, erroneously considering it as my name for the ge- 
nus, so that the synonyma of this genus will run thus :— 

Gadinia, Gray, 1824, from Gadin of Adanson. 

Mouretia, Sowerby, not Gray. 

Clypeus, Scacchi. 

Patella, Philippi. 

Pileopsis, Payraudeau. 


Pandorina, p. 296. 


This shell has been long described, although many authors, 
in common with Sr. Scacchi and M. Philippi, have considered 
it as a newspecies. On comparing a Neapolitan specimen which 
I have received under Scacchi’s name, it appears to have the 
following synonyma :— 

1. Mya Nitida, O. Fab. Naturforscher, iv. 44. t. 10. f. 10. 

2. Mya Norvegica, Chemnitz, x. f. 1647.48. Turton, Syst. Nat. 
iv. 170. Turton, Dict. f. 100. 

3. Anatina truncata, Lam. Hist. not Sow. 

4. Amphidesma corbuloides, Lam. Hist. 

Osteodesma corbuloides, Deshayes. 

5. Mya striata, Montagu, Linn. Trans. xi. t. 13. f.1. Turton, 
Diet. £.99. 

Lyonsia striata, Turton, Bivalves, t. 3. f. 67. 
Magdala striata, Brown, Brit. Shells, t. 11. f. 2. 
Myatella —-————,, Brown, Man. 

6. Mya pellucida, Brown, Wern. Trans. t. 24. f. 1. 

Ann. Nat. Hist, Vol. 4. No. 25. Jan. 1840. z 


306 2 =Mr.J. E. Gray on Philippi’s Zoological Notices. 


7. Pandora striata, Dict. Hist. Nat. xxv. 
8. Pandorina? equivalvis Philippi, Sicul. xviii. t. 1. f. 11. a.b.¢. 
Pandorina coruscans, Scacchi, Sp. Zool. 14. Costa. 


There is a second species very nearly allied to it, but which 
differs in being much narrower and longer in proportion. Ly- 
onsia is the oldest published name for the genus; Magdala 
was the name that Dr. Leach first gave to it in his MSS., but 
he afterwards used Lyonsia. Brown, not satisfied with adopt- 
ing Dr. Leach’s earlier manuscript name, instead of Lyonsia, 
has also added a new one, viz. Myatella. The shelly plate 
which is found in the hinge of this genus in the most perfect 
state of development, was, I believe, first described and figured 
by Mr. Wood in his Conchology. This plate is peculiar to a 
group of genera, which I think for several reasons, especially 
on account of the general structure of the animals, should be 
formed into a family separate from the Myade. This family 
contains the following genera :— 


Anatina=Auriscalpium, Schum. 

Cochlodesma= Anatina, §. 2. Turton. 

Periploma, Schum.=Osteodesma (part) Desh. 

Thracia=Odoncinetus, Costa. 

Lyonsia = Magdala and Myatella, Brown = Osteodesma (part) 
Desh.=Pandorina, Scacchi. 

Myadora, Gray.=Pandora (species) Sowerby.=Anatina, Stutch- 
bury, for Pandora brevis, Sow. 

Chamostrea, Roissy. = Cleidotherus Stutchbury, not Sowerby, as 
quoted by Dr. Philippi. 

Myochama, Stutchbury, and probably Cardilia, Desh.=Hemicy- 
clonosta, Desh. 

I described the animal of this genus in the first number of 
my ‘ Spicilegia Zoologica,’ when describing Lyonsia cuneata. 
The species of the different genera of Anatinide pass very gra- 
dually into each other, and I do not think that Lyonsia has 
any affinity to either Pandora, Solenomya or Galeomma, the 
latter having many characters in common with Gastrochena. 
Lyonsia has the piece in the hinge both in the young and 
adult state; and it may be remarked, that all bivalve shells, 
Pandora as well as the rest, have both a ligament and a car- 
tilage, which is often called a double ligament. 


Mr. E. Forbes on the Botany near Trieste. 307 


Cryptostoma, p. 298. 


There must be some mistake here. Neither the shell nor 
the animal of Cryptostoma in the least resembles either Corio-- 
cella or Buccinum ; but is closely allied to Natica, and passes 
by means of Natica melanostoma into the typical form of that 
genus. The reason why the animals of various species of 
Lamarckian Buccina differ so considerably from each other, is 
that he has confounded in that genus many shells belong- 
ing to other genera. Thus, of the species noticed above, 
Bucc. Linnei is a Columbella; Bucc. mutabile a Nassa; and 
Buce. maculosum a Pollia, or subgenus of Triton, Lam. On 
the other hand, Cardita is by no means so very different from 
Astarte, into which it readily passes by means of Venericar- 
dia. Indeed, two fossil Astartes have been described by La- 
marck as species of Cypricardia, which is the next genus to 
Cardita. 


XXXV.—Notices of Botanical Excursions in the Neighbour- 
hood of Trieste. By Enywarp Forbes, M.W.S., For. Sec. 
B.S., &c.* 


I visrrep Trieste in the month of June 1838, and spent five 
most delightful weeks in the neighbourhood, making the 
town my head-quarters. No locality could afford greater plea- 
sure to the botanist, Illyria being famous for the peculiarities 
of its Flora; and I was especially fortunate in finding two of 
the most distinguished Italian botanists resident in Trieste, 
M. Tommasini and M. Biasaletto, to whose guidance and.to 
whose company I chiefly owe the profit and the pleasure I 
reaped during my stay. Trieste is beautifully situated on the 
Adriatic at the base of Monte Spaccato, one of the border ele- 
vations of that great and singular calcareous plain the Karst. 
On the south-east side of the town the country bordering the 
- sea is somewhat flat as far as the boundary of Istria, a few 
miles distant, and presents us with the salt marshes of Zaule ; 
on the north-west the bounding precipices of the Karst rise 
directly from the sea. The excursions which I shall notice in 


* Read before the Botanical Society, Noy. 14, 1839. 


a 2 


308 Mr. E. Forbes on the Botany of the 


this paper are, Ist, the immediate neighbourhood of the town ; 
2nd, Zaule and its neighbourhood ; 3rd, Monte Spaccato and 
Lipizza on the Karst; and 4th, Contobello on the coast. 
These four excursions present a pretty good picture of the 
vegetation of the Triestine territory. 

I. In the immediate neighbourhood of the town, in fact 
forming one extremity of it, is a little wood called the Bos- 
chetto, the favourite promenade of the inhabitants, which it 
well may be, since there alone you find anything like a col- 
lection of trees, the country of Illyria being exceedingly bare, 
and trees are great treasures in such a warm climate. This 
grove is laid out in pleasant walks, and there are one or two 
coffee-houses where the Triestine gentlemen breakfast in the 
open air at a very early hour of the morning, and where the 
Triestine ladies sip coffee towards dusk. In the evening it 
presents a very gay scene, and the botanist, resting there after 
his day’s labour, finds himself greatly refreshed by the change 
from pretty flowers to pretty faces. In the Boschetto abound 
several rare and very interesting plants, such as Chrysanthe- 
mum montanum, Chrysanthemum corymbosum, Thesium diwari- 
catum, Inula hirta, Tragopogon floccosum, Potentilla pedata, 
and Polygala comosa. Also some critical species of much in- 
terest to the British botanist, as Lotus ciliatus, Tenore, a south- 
ern form of Lotus corniculatus, Ononis antiquorum, and the 
Lathyrus sepium of Scopoli. 

II. The salt marshes of Zaule are about four miles from 
Trieste, and abound in rare and interesting plants. The road to 
them is rather level and uninteresting; by the wayside how- 
ever I gathered undoubted specimens of the Ranunculus ver- 
rucosus* of Sternberg, this being the original locality. Also 
in corn-fields Bupleurum obovatum, Polygonum Bellardi, and 
Bifora radians. On the hedges near Zaule I found two rare 
and beautiful plants, Clematis viticella and Aristolochia ro- 
tunda. In the meadows at Zaule grow Holoschenus australis, 
Veronica latifolia, Brokhousia hispida, Gladiolus illyricus, 
Plantago altissima, Scorzonera laciniata, Scabiosa hybrida, 
Asparagus marinus, and Ornithogalum narbonense, &c. The 


* Perhaps not distinct from Ranunculus Philonotis. 


Neighbourhood of Trieste. 309 


ditches were filled with Gratiola officinalis. Several British 
plants abounded, such as Scabiosa arvensis and Rhinanthus 
crista-galli and major, here accompanied by Rhinanthus hir- 
sutus*, a plant which possibly may be found in similar si- 
tuations in our own country. The marshes of Zaule are 
famous for Orchidee. Of that tribe I observed Orchis pyra- 
midalis, O. acuminata? O. laxiflora, Epipactis palusiris, Gym- 
nadenia conopsea, and Serapias oxyglottis, certainly identical 
with the Serapias longipetala, as here were flowers of each 
species to be seen on one plant. The plant I have noted as 
Orchis acuminata exactly accords with Reichenbach’s descrip- 
tion of Defontaine’s species; nevertheless M. Tommasini in- 
formed me that he sent it to Reichenbach as such, who sent it 
back as Orchis variegata, identical with the German species. 

Ascending the hills of Istria, above Zaule, we found Sca- 
biosa integrifolia and hybrida growing together—certainly 
only one species. Trifolium patens and that beautiful shrub 
the Colutea arborescens were common. On the hills them- 
selves we found Athamanta Matthioli, Marrubium candidis- 
simum, Drypis spinosa, and Silene saxifraga ; and by the road 
side on our return to Trieste we gathered Oenanthe gymnor- 
rhiza and Rubus tomentosus. 

III. The excursion to Monte Spaccato and the Karst is 
probably the most characteristic of this singular country. To 
any one but a botanist the Karst is a place to be avoided, or 
passed over as quickly as possible. It is thus described by 
an English writer: “It is a table land of bare limestone rock, 
believed by geologists to correspond in age with the chalk se- 
parating Carniola from the coast land, or Littorale. It is a 
waste like no other; not a tree within sight, scarce a shrub or 
even a blade of grass to relieve the painful glare of the white 
shattered stones which strew the surface. ‘To use the words 
of a German traveller, the landscape might be painted with 
ashes and chalk.” Horrid however as the Karst thus ap- 
pears to be to the ordinary traveller, to the botanist it is a 
paradise blooming with rare and beautiful flowers, for every 
crevice on its bare surface presents him with plants which 


* The seed of the Zaule plant does not however answer to Reichenbach’s 
character of being “ exalatus.” 


310 Mr. E. Forbes on the Botany of the 


grow nowhere else, and every little oasis in its barren desert 
is radiant with flowers of exquisite loveliness, and odorous with 
fragrance of swectest herbs. In ascending Monte Spaccato 
_ from Trieste, we pass over two different geological formations, 
the lower part being composed of conglomerate and the upper 
of limestone, each presenting a different Flora. The latter 
rock especially abounds with rare and local plants. The hill 
is a natural botanic garden; it is so covered with various spe- 
cies, which greeted us in such quick succession, that it was as 
much as I could do to carry away a few examples of each for 
myself without taking duplicates. Our progress upwards was 
first hailed by Polygala comosa, which abounds alike on lime 
and sandstone. Andropogon Gryllus and Festuca glauca are 
likewise frequent on the latter rock. The sides of the hill are 
covered by Ostrya carpinifolia, Quercus pubescens, Pistacia 
Terebinthus, Rubus discolor, Cytisus capitatus, and Genista syl- 
vestris. Amidst these I picked a beautiful specimen of the 
splendid Limodorum abortivum. As we ascended to the cal- 
careous strata many species quite new to me appeared, 
often of great beauty, such as Berinia andryaloides, Convol- 
volus Cantabrica, Huphorbia fragifera and Onosma stellula- 
ta, and plants past flowering of Peonia peregrina were not 
rare. But the summit surpassed the sides: there were con- 
centrated the more beautiful plants we had passed, accom- 
panied by Genista sericea, Linum perenne? and narbonense, 
Veronica austriaca, Arenaria laricifolia, Euphorbia (nov. spe- 
cies near Gerardiana, Thomas,) Genista diffusa, Arenaria 
verna (the true plant, not the British), Astragalus vesicarius, 
Silene Pseud-otites, Orobus versicolor, Hieracium peleterianum, 
Dictamnus fraxinella, (which with Clematis erecta also adorned 
the sides), Centaurea variegata and a hundred others, “ too 
numerous to mention.” Of great interest to the botanist, on 
the highest point, grew Spartium radiatum, first found here by 
Mr. Bentham last year, and refound by myself. Among the 
plants past flowering I remarked Gentiana angulosa, Scorzo- 
nera austriaca, Mercurialis ovata and Cineraria arachnoidea, 
while Centaurea splendens and a host of Dianthi, as yet in bud, 
gave evidence of a harvest in a month or two as rich and as 
varied as that present. The view from the summit of the hill 


Neighbourhood of Trieste. 311 


was. very magnificent, stretching over Frioul, Carniola and 
Istria, bounded on three sides by the snow-topped chains of 
the Alps, on the fourth by the blue Adriatic. At our feet lay 
Trieste. 

Among the green spots on the Karst the most remarkable 
is Lipizza. Lipizza is truly an oasis in a desert: it is a wood 
about seven miles from Trieste, where the emperor breeds 
horses for his stud. Many of the most beautiful and rare 
plants of Illyria are found there, and some of its flowery de- 
nizens grow nowhere else. From Lipizza I obtained Liliwm 
carniolicum and bulbiferum, Delphinium fissum (rariss.), Me- 
dicago Karstiana, Potentilla recta, Potentilla inclinata (not 
distinct from P. canescens), Hieracium bracteatum, sabinum 
and obscurum, Scorzonera villosa and glastifolia, Loranthus 
europeus, Quercus cerris, Ornithogalum comosum, Lactuca per- 
ennis, Dianthus atrorubens and virgineus, Vicia sordida, Rosa 
rubrifolia, Iris graminea, Coronilla montana, Centaurea ado- 
nidifolia and Cerinthe maculata. At Lipizzaand other places 
on the Karst the localities richest in plants are singular basin- 
shaped depressions of the surface. 

IV. The excursion to Contobello, though not so rich as that 
to Monte Spaccato or Zaule, is interesting as exhibiting the 
sea cliff vegetation of this part of the shores of the Adriatic. 
On the way side between Contobello and Trieste grows the 
rare and beautiful Rosa sempervirens. On the sea-coast I 
gathered Lathyrus Nissolia, Chlora serotina, Dorycnium pen- 
taphyllum, Ruta divaricata, Lonicera etrusca, Palinurus spi- 
nosus, Rhamnus alpinus, Ethionema saxatilis, Teucrium mon- 
tanum, Trifolium angustifolium, Smilax aspera, Coronilla Eme- 
rus, Quercus Ilex, Verbascum nigro-austriacum, Salvia offici- 
nalis, Rubia peregrina, Phillyrea media, Ligustrum vulgare, 
and last, not least, the loved plant of lady and poet, Myrtus 
comnunis, on its native rocks in full bloom, as fair and 
sweet there wild, as when petted and caressed in the finest 
garden. 


312 Mr. Cunningham on the Habits of the Apteryx Australis. 


XXXVI.—On the Habits of the Apteryx Australis, a Bird 
of New Zealand, closely allied to the Struthionidee, and 
named by the native Inhabitants Kiwi. By the late ALLAN 
CuNNINGHAM, Esq.* 


Tuis most remarkable bird inhabits the densest and darkest forests. 
In those near the Kerikeri and Waimate missionary stations, a few 
miles from the shores of the Bay of Islands, it was formerly frequently 
observed and taken, as it is still to be found in the woods of the 
Hokianga river. It is however by no means confined to any par- 
ticular district, for it is to be met with in all the wooded parts of the 
northern island. In these humid forests it reposes during the day, 
either beneath the tufts of long sedgy grass, aspecies of Carex every- 
where abounding in the woods, or it hides itself, shunning the light, 
in the hollows at the base of the ‘‘ Rata” tree, (Metrosideros robusta 
A. C.—n. s.t) In these situations it constructs a very simple nest, 
laying, as all agree, but a solitary egg, which is about the size of a 
duck’s, or as some natives assert, nearly as large as that of a goose, 
with which bird they are now familiar, the missionaries and other 
Europeazs having some time since introduced it to their poultry- 
yards. Its period of incubation could not be ascertained from the 
natives. No sooner are its native woods darkened by the presence 
of night, than it ranges about in quest of food, which (as all ac- 
counts inform us) is exclusively worms, procured by burrowing with 
its feet, and perforating slightly the soft humid subsoil with its at- 
tenuated bill; and doubtless it is directed in the night by powerful 
instinct to the spots where these abound ; for its eyes are very small, 
and its upper mandible, with the nasal orifices at its extremity or tip, 
possesses doubtless an acute sense of smelling. 

It is not gregarious, and but very seldom indeed to be seen in 
small numbers: generally they are in pairs (a male and female) ; 
and in the larger forests, less frequented by the natives, these pairs 
may be met with at distances of about a quarter of a mile. 

The cry of the Kiwi at night is similar to the whistling made by 


* Read before the Zoological Society, May 14, 1839. The communica- 
tion was entitled “‘ Rough Notes collected from the New Zealanders (by aid 
of the Missionaries), on the habits of the Apteryx australis,” dated Sydney, 
N.S. Wales, 26th Nov. 1838, and accompanied the skin of an Apteryx, and 
also the body, preserved for dissection, which Mr. Cunningham had procured 
during a visit to New Zealand.—Our readers will learn with deep regret the 
loss which science has sustained by the death of Mr. Cunningham, who has 
so greatly contributed to our knowledge of the Natural History of Australia 
and New Zealand; and those valuable Flora of the latter country has just 
been completed in our pages.—Ep. 

+ Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. iii. 112. 


Mr. Cunningham on the Habits of the Apteryx Australis. 313 


boys by the help of the fingers placed in the mouth,—a whistle with 
a hiss; and it is by imitating this sound that the natives decoy 
them, and either catch them by the help of dogs, or having induced 
the bird to approach near to them by the whistle, they suddenly 
surprise it by the glare of a lighted torch, which they have with them, 
concealed under their mats, when they seize it by the neck, and thus 
capture it alive. 

In this manner the bird, the skin and body of which are now sent 
to England, was taken and brought to me alive. It may here be 
observed, that the natives, when they proceed to the forest to cap- 
ture these birds, choose the darkest night: and-as the Kiwies 
usually wander about in pairs, the New Zealander, readily distin- 
guishing, by some difference of voice, the sexes, endeavours to se- 
cure the female first, since the male will always linger about the spot 
to protect its mate, and will thus give the natives a fair opportunity 
to capture it also. 

When alarmed in the forest, the Kiwi retires precipitately into 
its darker recesses, running with considerable swiftness; although 
its /egs appear, from their shortness and strength, more fitted for 
burrowing than fleet movements. 

The legs afford the bird a means of formidable defence; for, 
when hunted and overtaken by the small dogs and the natives, it 
uses its feet effectively: and it is said the dogs unskilled in the 
mode of seizing their prey have been greatly injured by its kick. 

Formerly, when the natives, wearing solely their loose, airy, 
mat-dresses, were altogether more hardy than they are in the pre- 
sent day, in which every man is rolled up in a thick, heavy double- 
blanket of our introduction among them, and has thus become, com- 
paratively speaking, effeminate and inert ;—formerly the natives were 
skilful ‘‘ Kiwi hunters,”’ delighting in the pursuit ; and many a group 
would they form to go and pass a dark tempestuous night in the 
forest to decoy and catch these birds, the flesh of which, although 
said to be hard and sinewy, they greatly esteem. The feathers also 
were in request for making or decorating mats, by sewing them upon 
a groundwork of their native flax. Thus by their frequent night- 
prowlings in the woods, the natives have extirpated the Kiwi in 
some districts where it once abounded: and although it is still an 
inhabitant of timbered regions less disturbed by the natives, it is 
rarely to be obtained, because these people have become less ener- 
getic and enterprizing, and certainly less hardy by their adoption of 
. the habits of civilized man than formerly, and therefore cannot often 
be induced, by a promise of reward however considerable, to spend 


314 Professor Lindley on four new Cape Orchidacee. 


a gloomy night in the forest, in search of the bird; and without the 
aid of the New Zealander it cannot be obtained. 

The skin now sent home, the natives said, was of a male bird, 
and certain it is that whilst living it had a very strong and highly 
offensive smell. Some natives of the country at East Cape, on the 
coast, south of the Bay of Islands, who are residing with the church 
missionaries at Paihia, on its southern shore, observed that the 
Kiwies of their forests are much larger and more powerful birds than 
my specimen taken on the Hokianga river. Might not those south- 
ern birds be of a distinct species? A.C. 


XXXVII.—Characters of Four New Cape Orchidaceze. By 
Professor LinDLEY. 


Liparis Capensis; foliis binis ovato-oblongis obtusiusculis, 
caule erecto foliis longiore, racemo multifloro, bracteis her- 
baceis linearibus acuminatis pedicellis ovariorum longiori- 
bus, sepalis lateralibus oblongis obliquis labello zquali- 
bus quam petala linearia brevioribus, labello subrepando 
basi cucullato, apice obtusissimo emarginato apiculo in- 
terjecto. 

Hab. ad Cap. B. Spei, inter Zandplaat et Komga, Drége. 


Hapenaria Dregeana (A. §1. xx. c.); foliis radicalibus bi- 
nis orbicularibus ; caulinis lineari-lanceolatis setaceo-acu- 
minatis imbricatis, racemo densissimo cylindraceo obtuso, 
bracteis floribus zequalibus, petalorum lacinia anteriori 
glabra posteriori ciliata duplo breviore, labelli tripartiti 
laciniis carnosis acuminatis intermedia longiore et obtu- 
siore, calcare pendulo obtuso labello longiore. 

Hab. ad Cap. B. Spei, inter Basche et Omtata, Drége. 


HaBenaria Ciliosa (A. § 2. 6.); caule folioso, foliis erectis 
lanceolatis canaliculatis imbricatis margine pubescenti- 
bus, bracteis foliaceis lanceolatis acuminatis margine et 
costa ciliatis floribus longioribus, racemo denso cylindra- 
ceo, sepalis ciliatis, petalis obtusis glabris, labelli tripar- 

titi laciniis filiformibus intermedia longiore, calcare pen- 
dulo clavato ovarii longitudine. 
Hab. ad Cap. B. Spei, inter Basche et Omtata, Drége. 


Mr. A. Strickland on Squalus spinosus. 315 


HaBenaria levigata (A. § 2. 6.) ; glaberrima, laevigata, caule 
folioso, foliis lanceolatis canaliculatis acuminatis erectis 
imbricatis, bracteis foliaceis acuminatis subspiralibus flo- 
ribus longioribus, labelli tripartiti laciniis filiformibus ob- 
tusis verruculosis ovario brevioribus intermedia longiore, 
calcare filiformi longissimo. 

Hab. ad Cap. B. Spei, inter Basche et Omtata, Drége. 


XXXVIII.—On the Occurrence of Squalus spinosus, Linn., 
on the Coast of Yorkshire. By AnruuR STRICKLAND, Esq. 


On the 11th of August 1838, a large fish was brought on 
shore at Burlington Quay, differing from any I had seen be- 
fore, which had been caught that morning in a trawl net; its 
characters evidently bespoke it to belong to the shark tribe, 
but differing in many respects from any of those usually met 
with. Its whole length was 7} feet; its girth in the largest 
part (just behind the pectoral fin) was 3 feet 8 inches; its whole 
surface was covered with a skin strikingly different from the 
rough file-like surface of most of the shark tribe, being very 
smooth and slimy ; but the upper part of the back was studded 
over with sharp white spines hooking backwards, the largest 
not above j of an inch long, but varying greatly in size. Kach 
spine was set upon a thin hard circular base about the size of 
a fourpenny piece. In some instances two, and in a few, three 
spines were clustered together, but were usually separate 
about one inch asunder. I could not perceive that they were 
placed in any order or pattern. These spines continued less 
abundantly down the sides, and seemed to cease altogether as 
they approached the belly, but were abundant upon all the 
fins. A distinct lateral line commenced above the insertion 
of the pectoral fin where it was slightly bent, and from thence 
ran in a straight line to the tail, where it bent upwards, and 
followed its course nearly to the extremity. The top of the 
head was quite flat, ending in a blunt round snout, the space 
between the eyes being somewhat more than that between the 
eye and the end of the nose ; the eyes were large, and placed 
in the projecting edge that overhung the mouth: nearly half- 
way between the eye and the end of the nose were placed the 


316 Mr. A. Strickland on Squalus spinosus 


nostrils, about 11 in extent the longest way ; they were par- 
tially divided in the middle by two valves, the posterior one 
short and blunt, the anterior longer and pointed. The di- 
stance from the end of the nose to the mouth was 6 inches; 
the whole of this space between the nose and mouth was co- 
vered with numerous small open pores, probably the glands for 
the secretion of the mucus that covered the whole surface of 
the body. ‘The mouth was furnished with three rows of teeth, 
with the commencement of a fourth row imperfectly formed. 
The outer or larger row was set upon an edge, but evidently 
movable, as some of these were doubled backwards; the rest 
were set behind these in lines, each tooth diminishing in size 
to the last. The teeth were thin and sharp, about half an 
inch broad, and a quarter of an inch high: the posterior edge 
was formed into two longish points, the upper one pointing 
partly upwards; the anterior side was formed into two much 
smaller points, pointing in different directions. There was no 
tongue, nor any appearance of one, the bottom of the mouth 
being smooth and hard. Seven inches from the mouth com- 
menced the brachial openings, which were five in number, all 
placed in front of the pectoral fin ; the first was 3 inches long, 
each increasing in size to the last, which was 6 inches. Im- 
mediately behind the centre of these commenced the pectoral 
fin, which was 11 inches in length, very thick and fleshy in 
substance, particularly at the base, the posterior edge thin 
and flexible ; but as in all the fins except the tail, there were no 
perceptible fin rays or membrane, all being smooth and fleshy. 
This fin opened perfectly horizontally, or at right angles to the 
sides of the fish. Eighteen inches behind these commenced 
the ventral fins, which were equally thick and fleshy, 14 inches 
long and 11 inches broad, cut nearly square ; between the pos- 
terior base of these fins was placed the vent. The space from 
that to the lower end of the tail was only 17 inches; from this 
point to the upper extremity of the tail was 23 inches, in one 
unbroken line, there being no distinct lobes of the tail as in 
most of the shark tribe. The edge of the tail was composed 
of indistinct fleshy rays covered with smooth membrane. A 
little behind a perpendicular line above the anterior base of 
the ventral fin was placed the first dorsal fin, which was 6 
inches long, upon a base of the same length; 4 inches behind 


found on the coast of Yorkshire. 317 


this was placed a second fin, similar in all respects, except 
perhaps being cut a little more square at the end. From the 
front of the first of these fins to the end of the nose was a 
space of about 5 feet, without any other fin or projection ex- 
cept the small spines before mentioned. The colour of the 
fish was when I saw it, a few hours after it was caught, a nearly 
uniform reddish slate-colour, somewhat lighter on the lower 
parts ; but it was described by the fisherman who caught it as 
having been more of a red cast, with blotches of a lighter co- 
lour, before it died. 

The peculiar characters of this fish consist in the smooth 
slimy spinous skin (resembling in this respect some of the 
Ray tribe), the thick fleshy fins with the five brachial open- 
ings all placed in front of the pectoral fins, in having no cen- 
tral dorsal fin, no temporal orifices, no anal fins. In these re- 
spects it differs from any fish hitherto described as a British spe- 
cies. Nor does it agree with any I have been able to discover 
in any work I have yet had an opportunity of referring to. 


ARTHUR STRICKLAND. 
Burlington Quay. 


This species is the Echinorhinus obesus of Smith, who 
says in reference to it, “ This shark is comparatively rare 
at the Cape of Good Hope. It is described by the fisher- 
men as sluggish and unwieldy in its movements, and but sel- 
dom to be observed towards the surface of the water. When 
they obtain specimens it is generally at a time when they are 
fishing in deep water, and when the bait with which the hooks 
are armed is nearto the bottom. In this respect it resembles 
the Scyllus or Ground Shark. If we were to regard only its 
internal organization we should be disposed to consider it as 
closely allied to that genus.”—Jllustrations of the Zoology of 
South Africa, by Andrew Smith, M.D., Part I. Pisces, pl. 1. 


After an attentive examination of the particulars on this 
subject published in the Supplement to Mr. Yarrell’s History 
of our British Fishes, Part II. p. 54, I have no doubt that 
all the specimens, and the various synonyms employed, 
refer but to one and the same species at different periods of 
its existence.—A. S. 


318 Sir W. Jardine on the Habits of Crotophaga. 


Note.—Since the receipt of Mr. Arthur Strickland’s com- 
munication, the second portion of a systematic arrangement 
and description of sharks by Drs. Miiller and Henle, published 
at Berlin, has been received in this country, a reference to 
which appears to confirm the opinion given by our friend that 
the various published accounts of a spiny shark refer but to 
one species. The fellowing are extracts from this valuable 
German work, p. 91 :— 

Second Family. Scymyt. 

Second Genus. Echinorhinus, Blainv.—Goniodus, Agassiz. 
Species 1. Echinorhinus spinosus, Bonap. 

Le Bouclé, Brouss. p. 672. 21. : 

Sq. spinosus, Linn. Gm. 1500. 27. 

Squale bouclé, Lacep.i.p.30.tab.3. f. 2. Cop. Encyc. p.11.n. 22. 

Sq. spinosus, Bl. Schn. 136. 

Squale bouclé, Risso. Ichth. 42. 

Scymnus spinosus, Risso. Hist. 136. Cuv. 393. 

Leich bouclé, Dict. des Sc. Nat. pl. 28. f. 2. 

Echinorhinus spinosus, Bonap. 13. 

Sq. (Echinorhinus) spinosus, Blainv. Faun. Frane. p- 66. 

Goniodus, Agassiz, vol. ill. tab. E. f. 13. (Teeth). 

Hab. Mediterranean sea and the ocean. 


Examples stated to have been seen by the authors of the 
work :—One in the Museum at Leyden; one from the Cape 
by Dr. Smith. 

The coloured figure of this shark sent us by Mr. Strick- 
land, so closely resembles Dr. Smith’s figure, as to make a 
second illustration unnecessary.—Epir. 


XX XIX.—Hore Zoologice. By Sir W. Jarpine, Bart. 


No. II. The History and Habits of Crotophaga continued 
Srom page 171, by the Notes of Mr. Schomburgk on the 
Manners of the Birds in Guiana. 


In a lately published number of the Annals we commenced a 
series of papers with the view of giving information as it oc- 
curred, and in the hope of calling attention and eliciting addi- 
tional facts relative to the subjects which were treated of. It 
is highly satisfactory for us to think that our anticipations have 


Sir W. Jardine on the Habits of Crotophaga. 319 


been so soon replied to. Mr. Schomburgk, in a recent visit, 
communicated many interesting traits in the manners of the 
birds of Guiana; and upon submitting to him the proof sheets 
of the preceding paper, p. 160, which had been just received, 
he kindly offered to write out for our “ Hore” the notes which 
he had éollected upon the habits of the Crotophage in the dif- 
- ferent localities where he had met with them. These notes in 
general agree with those of our Tobago correspondent; and, 
in the breeding of the birds particularly, confirm what was 
stated regarding the incubation of C. rugirostra, identical with 
the smaller Guiana species. They leave however the curious 
question of some species at least (C. major) using a common 
nest in a manner undecided; though we must confess that 
information gathered in a proper way from natives has been 
generally found to be correct in its most important parts. The 
facts mentioned of their feeding, proved them as observed 
to be nearly omnivorous; but ‘we still consider insects and 
fruits to be their principal food.. We should also be prepared 
to find them occasionally eating carrion; but it may be a 
question worthy of notice whether the birds observed by Mr. 
Schomburgk on the dead sheep were employed in eating the 
flesh, or in collecting insects or larvee which in a warm cli- 
mate might be very soon attracted to, or engendered in animal 
matter*. Their resemblance in manners to the Corvine is also 
strikingly related; this may be one of analogy only, both the 
external form of the members and the internal structure ap- 
pearing to lead to other groups ; at the same time, as our facts 
accumulate, it may be found that the Crotophage may be 
more correctly placed among the “ Rasorial Crows,” the Glau- 
copine of Sw. exhibiting in the form of the foot the scansorial 
deviation. 


«‘T have perused with great pleasure your notes on the Hi- 
story and Habits of Crotophaga; and as this genus, by the pe- 


* Mr. Schomburgk informs us that ‘ without further proofs to warrant a be- 
lief of their being carnivorous, he should rather think they were feeding on the 
larve. The distance was too great to determine whether they were tearing 
at the carrion or merely regaling themselves on the insects. In either case 
it would seem that they are not over nice in the selection of their food, and 
that the smcll of putrefaction is not repulsive to them.”—Eb. 


320 Sir W. Jardine on the Habits of Crotophaga. 


culiar form of its beak, and its curious manners, is so well 
qualified to attract the attention of the most careless observer, 
it may be naturally supposed that it did not escape me. 

“ You observe very justly, that at this time the specific di- 
stinctions of this genus are not well understood ; and that only 
with the possession of an extensive series from various local- 
ities, the value of these distinctions will be ascertained. The 
bird which you consider allied or identical with Mr. Swain- 
son’s C. rugirostra appears to be the most common and the 
most widely distributed species. I have now a specimen be- 
fore me which so accurately agrees with your description of 
that from Tobago, that there is not the slightest deviation in 
the dimensions or markings. My specimen was shot in the 
neighbourhood of Fort San Joaquim on Rio Branco, in lat. 
3° 1! N. The same species inhabits also the Virgin Islands, 
where they are known under the name of ‘ Black Witches? 

“The account of your correspondent, Mr. Kirk, of their ha- 
bits is graphic, and does not materially deviate from my own 
observations ; but he has forgotten to note that they prove 
very destructive to pigeon-peas (Cytisus cajan), and their so- 
journ in the negroes’ provision-field is by no means cherished 
by them. Mr. Kirk alludes to the circumstance of having 
found Guava seeds (Psidium pyriferum) in their stomach ; and 
I have to add, that they are partial to this fruit. I recollect 
that on riding one day from Cruxbay towards the eastern part 
of the island of St. John’s, I saw in the vicinity of the estate 
Biverhoutberg a flock of Crotophage on the carcase of a sheep, 
on which they were feeding. I was astonished at the circum- 
stance, but not so my companion, who told me he had noted 
their carnivorous habits before. They resemble in that re- 
gard the Corvide ; indeed there are several points from which 
we might trace an affinity to that group. You have noted, 
p- 170, the resemblance of the tongue of the Crotophaga to 
that of the Corvine, and the intestinal canal which approaches 
to that of some of the Fissirostres. But there are other resem- 
blances in their characters and habits which are perhaps more 
striking. They live in numerous bands, are omnivorous, build 
their nest in the manner of the Corvide, are clamorous, bold, ad- 
vance on the ground by hopping, and like our raven and mag- 


Sir W. Jardine on the Habits of Crotophaga. 321 


pie, have at all times been objects of superstition to the com- 
mon people. 

“ Setting aside the peculiar shape of its beak, the Crotophaga 
resembles the Corvidee further in some points of its outer ap- 
pearance. Its form and graceful motions when gliding through 
between the branches of the trees and shrubs or when on the 
wing remind us of the genera Pica and Garrulus ; at the base 
of the bill we observe setaceous feathers, a character of the 
Corvine ; the fourth quill is the longest, colour entirely black, 
glossed with violet reflexions like the genus Corvus. The flesh 
has a disagreeable odour ; nevertheless I have been informed 
that this does not deter some of the negroes from eating them ; 
and I have been more than once told, that they are used as 
substitutes for pigeons or rooks in pies. 

“ T agree perfectly with Mr. Kirk that they do not build their 
nest on the ground ; it is generally built in the fork of trees: 
but although the construction of the nest resembles that of the 
Corvide, it is built at a less height from the ground. I can- 
not substantiate by ocular evidence that they breed in com- 
munity, but I have heard it always asserted of the larger spe- 
cies (C. major). The Indians have told me en inquiry, that 
in the nest of the smaller species, which you call C. rugirostra, 
they find only from five to seven eggs; but in those of the 
larger they are so numerous that they fill a whole calabash. 
The Indians, at least the Warraus and Arawaks, eat these 
eges; and their evidence that they take such a large number 
of eggs from the nests of C. major, confirms the belief that 
they use a common nest. Sororeng, one of the Indians who 
has accompanied me to London, and who served me as inter- 
preter during the last expedition, assures me that he has seen 
three birds of the larger species (C. major) which they call 
Woworima, sitting in one nest; and on asking him how many 
egos he saw in the nest, he designated the number by pointing 
to the number of his fingers and his toes. 

“TI have noted both species (C. major and Ani rugirostra ?) 
along the rivers of Guiana ; they are therefore not peculiar to 
savannahs. When ascending the rivers Essequibo, Parima, 
Rio Branco, Orinoco, &c. we observed them frequently along 
the woody banks of these rivers : disturbed by the noise of our 

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.4. No. 25. Jan. 1840. 2A 


322 Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 


canoes, they sounded their shrill notes, and followed in short 

flights from shrub to shrub. The Indian is no friend to the 
Crotophaga; he has an idea that this bird cannot bear the 
human whistle, and flies as soon as it is sounded. Our Indian 
guides amused themselves therefore frequently in breaking out 
on a sudden in a shrill whistle; and were highly delighted 
when the startled birds took to their wings. I subjoin the 
Indian names for the lesser Crotophaga (C. rugirostra). It 
is called in the Lingua Geral which is spoken in the province 
Para Ano Curauca, in the Arawak Cunuba, in the Macusi 
Owowi, in the Wapeshana Houwi. C. major is called Wowo- 
rima by the Macasis, and Cosac by the Warraus.” 


[To be continued. ] 


XL.—Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 
Mr. Schomburgk’s recent Expedition in Guiana. 
{ Continued from p. 266.] 


TuERE are contradictory accounts among the Indians of a species 
of a cat, which in size and spotting resembles the Cheta (Felis ju- 
bata). Its ground colour is yellowish-fawn, and the spots are of a 
uniform colour and full and complete. Such appeared the cat to me 
which I saw watching me as related above*; and although I have 
doubted the evidence of my eyes, the existence of such a species has 
gained additional strength by the circumstance, that, on visiting the 
British Museum with the three Indians who accompanied me from 
Guiana to England, they took the Cheta to be a specimen of that 
species which is indigenous to Guiana, and identical with the one 
which annoyed us so much. 

In the Supplement to Buffon’s ‘ Histoire Naturelle,’ tome iii. 
planche 38 +, the figure of a cat is given which agrees with the one 
which I saw at Curassawaka, and it would be remarkable if, after all 


* See p. 265. 

+ Nous donnons ici la figure d’un animal de l’espéce des léopards ou des 
jaguars. Le dessin nous en a été envoyé par feu M. Colinson, mais sans 
nom, et sans aucune autre notice. Et comme nous ignorons, s’il appartient 
a l’ancien ou au nouveau continent, et qu’en méme temps, il différe de 
l’once et du leopard, par la forme des taches et plus encore du jaguar et de 
ocelot, nous ne pouvons décider auquel de ces animaux on doit le rap- 
porter; seulement il nous paroit qu'il a un peu plus de rapport avec le ja- 
guar, qu’avec le léopard.—ZJb6id. p. 218. | 


Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 323 


traces of the animal which that figure represents appear to have been 
lost, it should be found to be a native of Guiana. 

I mention another species from the reports of the Indians, and 
which the Arawaks call Waracabba Arowa or Trumpeter Tiger*. 
They are equal in size to the former, and are said to go in small 
packs of six or eight, following their prey as well by scent as by 
sight. The Indians describe them as very ferocious, and say they 
will attack man and all the larger quadrupeds which range through 
the forest. They shun human habitations, and are only to be met 
with in the thickest forest. They are called Waracabba Arowa from 
having a bluish breast, resembling that of the gold-breasted trum- 
peter (Psophia crepitans), otherwise they are described to be yellow 
and spotted ; whether contiguous or ringed I could not ascertain. 

The Abouya Arawa or Peccary Cat of the Arawaks is a powerful 
animal for its size. It measures about 4 feet in length, and the tail 
from 16 to 18 inches: its colour is a yellowish-brown, not near so 
yellow as that of the jaguar (Felis onca). The lower parts are white, 
and the forehead is marked by four or five bands, which run trans- 
versely from the eyes towards the muzzle. The spots on the back 
are formed in oblong stripes, running from the neck to the tail, and 
each having a spot in the middle. The two lateral bands extend to 
the fore limbs ; the rest of the body is covered with irregular blotches, 
which in the vicinity of the neck and the breast assume the form of 
small spots. Its tail is much shorter in proportion than any of the 
other species; its head is large, the neck thick, with great strength 
in its fore quarters. It frequents the habitations of man, and com- 
mits great destruction among sheep and hogs. In case of necessity 
it does not despise poultry. I conceive this species to be the Felis 
macrourus of Prince Maximilian of Neuwied. 

The Labba Cat.—As I have not myself seen that species, I add 
Mr. Vieth’s account. ‘‘ This species is about the size of a wild cat. 
The spots are larger in proportion than on the other species, and are 
on a light brown ground; indeed the blotches resemble those of the 
jaguar, and are more frequent on the legs. They are very destructive 
to poultry, and enter the fowl-houses without fear. I have stuffed 
several of them; one, which was brought by one of my huntsmen, 
was sticking all over full of the prickles of the porcupine, which ani- 
mal I have no doubt it had been attacking.” 

Labba is the Arawak name for the spotted cavia, on which they 
prey as well as on other small animals. The subject which Mr. 

* I repeat again that the name of Tiger is bestowed generally by the co- 
‘lonists on these cats. 


Za?’ 


324 Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 


Vieth described to me appears identical with Wilson’s Felis Par- 
dalis. 

There is a variety of that species which the Indians call the Agurt 
or Aguti-cat ;.it is of the same colour as the foregoing, but the spots 
are small, and very thickly spread over the whole body. They are 
somewhat larger than a domestic cat, and are equally destructive 
to the feathered stock as the former. They frequent the plantations, 
as the sugar-cane fields afford them always a safe retreat. They 
have received their name from the Aguti (Dasyprocta Aguti). It 
forms no doubt one of the varieties of Felis pardalis. 

The following two spotted species are considerably smaller than 
the foregoing, and are named by colonists ‘ tiger cats.’ The Rat- 
TIGER of the Arawak Indians is beautifully marked. The ground 
colour of the skin is of a fawn colour, marked with black oblong 
spots on the head and shoulder, and with circular patches, which 
surround spots of a redder colour along the back and sides;. the 
thighs are surrounded with black bands, assuming a lighter tint in- 
side : the tail is alternately ringed white and black. They are not so 
large as the former species, and vary from 2 feet to 2 feet 4 inches, 
of which the tail alone measures from 8 to 9inehes. I think it may 
be identified with Linneus’s Felis tigrina. 

The second variety is less than a domestic cat, and has large spots 
on a bright yellow ground; its fore paws are remarkably strong in 
proportion to its size, and it frequents chiefly thick woods, where it 
preys upon birds. 

I shall now give a short description of the spotless cats which in- 
habit Guiana, of which the first that engages our attention is the 
black cat-(Felis nigra?) or tiger as it is called par excellence by the 
Brazilian of the Rio Negro. During our expedition in the interior 
of Guiana, we were not so fortunate as to fall in with a specimen of 
this cat; although we were told by the Indians that it existed in 
British Guiana, and frequently committed great ravages among the 
herds of wild cattle in the savannahs of the rivers Takutu and Branco, 
and was not unfrequent on the Upper Orinoco and the Rio Negro. 
Its geographical distribution extends therefore from the coast regions 
of Guiana beyond the equator. Mr. Vieth had been told by the 
Waccawais, that they had killed specimens from time to time above 
the great cataract of the Demerara river ; and there can be no doubt 
of it, as those tribes who inhabit Guiana possess names for it. They 
are called Marpuri-tTicer, either from their colour, which resembles 
that animal (Tapir americanus) ,and perhaps, and more likely, from their 
preying on the Tapir, as it is a common custom among the Arawaks, 


Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 325 


if we except one or two instances, to name those cats generally 
after the game on which they prey. I have seen a fine skin of that 
species, the back of which was of a shining black, lightening to a 
mouse colour on the belly; the paws were black, and its claws 
larger than those of the jaguar; the whiskers strong ; and a tawny- 
coloured spot above each eye must give to that organ a peculiar ap- 
pearance when the creature is alive. The tail is longer in propor- 
tion to the size of the animal, if compared with that of the jaguar ; 
and in its head and form it resembles much more the Wawula (Felis 
concolor), than the Arichibana (Felis onca). It is said to be more 
ferocious than the latter, and attacks man more frequently. The 
skin measured from the tip of the nose to the insertion of the tail 
3 feet 7 inches, the tail 164 inches, or the whole skin almost 5 feet ; 
but if the accounts of the Brazilians on the Rio Negro are to be be- 
lieved, it surpasses in size the largest jaguar. I could not judge 
whether it was a young or a full-grown animal. The Indians told 
us, that they subsist upon the Tapir, the Capybara (Hydrocherus capy- 
bara), the Peccary (Dicotyles subniger), the different species of deer 
which frequent the forest and savannahs, which they surprise by 
stealth. The Indians appear to have a great dread of them. 

The Indian distinguishes two species of the Puma, the Wawura 
or Deer Tiger and the Soasoaranna. The latter appears to be more 
restricted to the open savannahs of the Orinoco, the former frequents 
as well the coast regions as the savannahs. I have recognised in the 
two specimens which the Museum of the Zoological Society pos- 
sesses, the Puma of the Orinoco; and although they are generally 
not known in British Guiana, I have seen a skin of one which had 
been killed above 40 miles up the Demerara river. The head seemed 
to be small in proportion to its size, the body was long, and the 
fore feet very stout ; its tail, as far as I can remember, more than 
half the length of the body, and ending in a tuft of black hair. 

I am enabled to give a more detailed account of the second spe- 
cies, the Wawvra Arowa of the Arawaks, or Deer Tiger of the 
colonists. In colour they are of a reddish-brown which lightens 
on the outside of the limbs, and assumes a white colour on the belly. 
Of a similar colour is the breast, and the reddish-brown which is 
the prevailing colour of the body is of a lighter tint at the muzzle 
and chin. It is covered with thick fur, which relates likewise te the 
tail, which, as in the Puma of the Orinoco, is black on the tips. The 
eyes are of a brown colour. The head is small; higher in propor- 
tion than any of the spotted kinds, strongly built before and light 
behind. Its proportion will become apparent from the following 


326 Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 


measurement of a subject which was killed at the savannahs of the 
Rio Branco, and which is now in my possession. It stood behind 
2 feet, and before 1 foot 10 inches; and its whole length from the 
nose to the tip of the tail was 6 feet 2 inches. 


ft. in. 
Length from back of skull bone to insertion of tail ...... 3 1 
Langth of tail cs is bio) sills ccd ciia ene Peale arn ee 2 4 
Length from point of shoulder to malleolus of fore fol ‘nly eee 
Girth of fore leg below point of shoulder .............. 0 84 
Girth of fore leg immediately below the knee .......... 0 53 
Length of the knee joint to malleolus................-- 0 10 
Length of the sole of the hind foot...............- 055 0 4 
Bireadth: oF GL: an asic shh dks ie winds wil aOR Dial Radiat 0 4 
Girth of-the middle of the belly............ 00..00 eee 2 2 
Girth of the body near the shoulder ..............0+0. 4.30 
Length from tip of snout to posterior extremity of the skull 0 9 
Space between the base of the ears....,....0.. 50 ee rene 0 4 
Length of the. care sic sns)c i eerietan ont cklew wees ales 0 34 
Space from eye to nostril... 64.2060 ees esleeeiess preset | Wer 
Hind leg from hip joint to sole of foot ..............4. bind 
Hind leg from knee joint to ditto ...........6-- ce eeee 0 5 
Length of fore claws , . 
pees oh of hind tai \ HAG CW Osa OSE ES SBN: aide | | 


It is very destructive to the cattle farms, and it is so powerful an 
animal, that I have been told by an eye witness, that it killeda 
mule and dragged it across a trench to the opposite side, although 
the trench was not quite full of water, and the Puma had to drag it 
a few feet up hill, after it landed with its prey on the other side. My 
informant, who had watched its proceedings, had meanwhile sent 
for his gun, and shot him while attempting to pull the mule into the 
wood. They seem to be particularly partial to dogs, and a great 
number of those which are kept by the settlers for the purpose of 
hunting, are killed and eaten by them. They follow in the woods 
the herds of Peccaries, and watch their motion in order to seize upon 
the stragglers, being well aware that if they attacked the flock, they 
would be overpowered and torn to pieces. They hunt as well by 
day as in the night, and feed also on deer and the smaller domestic 
animals. They give birth to two young ones, seldom three, which 
have spots of a darker hue, more or less visible, according as the 
lights fall upon them, and which I have been told they lose after 
the first year. 

Cuvier doubts that the cats just described form two different spe- 


Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 327 


cies. I do not venture to combat his opinion, as I saw only a skin 
of the Puma of the Orinoco, which was similar to the specimens at 
the Museum of the Zoological Society, and agrees with Mr. Bennett’s 
description, while the second, and of which I possess a specimen, 
resembles Wilson’s figure of the Felis concolor. 

The Wixuisisstr1 Arowa is likewise un unspotted cat, and is 
exceedingly rare in Guiana. It is ofa light gray colour, approaching 
to white on the belly; its snout is of a reddish-brown and has a 
white spot on the breast; its tail is of the same thickness through- 
out, and it does not possess the black tip of the Puma. It is about. 
2 feet 6 inches long, and stands high in proportion to its size, 
strongly built before with stout neck and small head. Mr. Vieth 
gave me the following note on this cat: ‘‘I have had two of these 
animals ; one was killed by a negro at Mr. Patterson’s at the Deme- 
rara river, while in the act of killing a turkey, the other in the same 
neighbourhood while swimming across a river. I had them both at 
the same time, and showed them to Mr. Brandes, famed as a great 
huntsman, and who has killed of almost every species of animal in 
our colony, but who appeared to be unacquainted with that species 
of cat. However the Waccawai Indians who inhabit the upper De- 
merara river, and some of whom I had in my employ, did not seem 
to think it a rarity, and told me they had seen and killed them from 
time to time.” It has received its Arawak name Willibissiri Arowa, 
from the smallest species of deer which Guiana possesses, which this 
cat resembles in colour and on which it preys. I conceive it to be 
the Felis jaguarondi, or rather that variety which Dr. Traill describes 
as Felis unicolor. 

The Hacca Arowa is the last species of cat that I have met with 
or heard of during my expeditions in Guiana. It resembles the pre- 
ceding in size and form, but differs in colour; the adults being of a _ 
deep shining black, the belly dark mouse, with a tawny-coloured 
spot over each eye: the tail is without rings. Although not very 
common in Guiana, they are by no means rare, and the Indians use 
the skins for manufacturing caps, shot pouches, &c. They prey 
upon small animals, as Pacas, Agutis, and are also destructive to the 
feathered game. It appears to agree with Temminck’s variety of 
the Felis jaguarondi, which he saw in the Paris Museum. 

From the above description it will be observed, that eight spotted, 
and five spotless cats are named, all of which the Indian distinguishes 
by different names; but while the naturalist would hesitate to adopt 
his distinctions as specific, and considers the greater number mere 
varieties, we must confess that we know but little how far their 


/ 


328 fnformation respectiny Botanical Travellers. 


structure diverges, and might warrant us to adopt them, in addition 
to the difference in spotting and colouring, as specific characters. } 
have had but little opportunity to extend my investigations to any- 
thing further than to the observations which askin, sometimes muti- 
lated, afforded ; but it is evident that Guiana possesses two very di- 
stinct forms, of which the Jaguar (Felis onca) and the Puma (Felis 
concolor) offer the typical forms. The jaguar is the strongest, and most 
powerful of the Feline, and to what astonishing size it reaches, may 
be concluded from the circumstance, that Mr. Vieth found during 
our last expedition, on a savannah on the banks of the river Padauiri, 
a tributary to the Rio Negro, a skeleton of a tiger which measured 
nine feet. It had been much mutilated by the vultures, but Mr. 
Vieth carried the skull, which was perfeet, and which 7s now among 
my collections. The spotted kinds all bear a striking resemblance 
to each other: their heads are broad, the fore quarters remarkably 
strong and full of muscles ; the chest broad, and their tails shorter 
in proportion than those of the spotless cats. Not less remarkable 
is the likeness of the unspotted species; their heads are small, the 
neck nearly the same thickness, the fore legs very strong and power- 
ful, the hind legs taller in proportion, and the tail long, furry, and 
brush-like. These two forms are evident to every common ob- 
server, but it will want more knowledge of their anatomical struc- 
ture to form the subordinate sections. In their habits they are all 
voracious, and prey upon animals much larger than themselves. 
They hunt chiefly by night, but when pressed by hunger destroy and 
carry away their prey in the open day. ‘The larger species of the 
spotted kind are all excellent swimmers, and cross over rivers, or visit 
the islands where the Capybaras are generally found, and which 
seldom escape the fatal bound. Although there are several in- 
stances, yet comparatively speaking they seldom attack man; but 
they do not seem to fear him, as they enter the huts of Indians, and 
carry away their dogs, while they leave their owners undisturbed 
in their hammocks. Their claws are the chief instruments of attack 
and defence, and they are for that purpose strongly hooked, and 
capable of being retracted whilst not in use. Their canine teeth are 
strong, two in each jaw, cutting teeth small, and grinders shaped 
like an arrow-head. 


Bibliographical Notices. 329 


BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


Histoire Naturelle des Poissons d’eau douce de I’ Europe Centrale. 
Par L’, Agassiz. 1 Livraison, contenant les Salmones. Oblong 
folio. Neuchatel, 1839. 


Natural History and Illustrations of the British Salmonide. By Sir 
William Jardine, Bart. Part First. Elephant Folio. Edinburgh, 
1839. 


On the Growth of the Salmon in Freshwater. By William Yarrell, 
F.L.S., V.P.Z.S., with. Six coloured Illustrations of the Fish of 
the Natural Size. Oblong Folio. Van Voorst. London, 1839. 


The titles of the works which we have placed at the head of this 
notice will show that the interest which the Natural History of the 
Salmonide has of late excited, has in no way decreased either in this 
country or on the Continent, and we sincerely trust that the indivi- 
duals who are now devoting their talents to the elucidation of the 
habits and structure of this family of fishes, of much importance 
commercially and possessing great scientific interest, may be enabled 
to carry on their investigations until the complete history of the 
subject is attained. 

At the commencement of the present century, the history of the 
British fishes composing this family had for a considerable period 
remained stationary. But then, various experiments began to be 
tried, with the view of ascertaining the time required by the fry or 
smelts to attain a certain weight after leaving the rivers, which was 
very satisfactorily established, showing a remarkably rapid increase 
in weight and size. This fact, previously surmised, had given rise to 
the conclusion, that the young on hatching from the ova increased 
with equal rapidity, while the history of a little fish provincially 
known in Scotland as the Parr, created much discussion, and no little 
difference of opinion, whether it was a young state of the Salmon 
or a full-grown and perfect fish. The immense decrease of the Salmon 
fisheries also called for investigation ; and although the habits of the 
species which composed the chief staple of the fisheries were prac- 
tically known to the Taxmen, the proprietors or their factors were 
not sufficiently conversant with their growth, migration, or breeding, 
either to impose salutary restrictions in the leases, or to check the in- 
discriminate and over-killing of the fish, which was almost the sole 
cause of the decrease ; the latter caused the appointment of various 
Parliamentary Committees, which published reports containing an 


330 Bibliographical Notices. 


immense but undigested mass of information, and which might have 
elicited much more had the members of them given some attention 
to the obscure points in the history of the family before examining 
the witnesses. The difficulty of investigating the subject is we ac-. 
knowledge great, and when we know that it has been undergoing 
strict research by persons well qualified for the task for several years 
without complete information being obtained, we feel even more 
anxious to understand the mystery which involves the ‘‘ lives and 
loves” of these very valuable inhabitants of our rivers and oceans. 
Mr. Yarrell, Sir W. Jardine, Dr. Parnell, and Mr. Shaw of Drum- 
lanrig are all either now, or have been very lately working on this 
subject, and the fruits of their researches will eventually leave little 
to be accomplished. Sir Francis Mackenzie of Garloch is about to 
form extensive stews for the breeding of salmon, and to re-perform 
some of Mr. Shaw’s experiments. The experiments of the latter ob- 
server detailed to the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and published in 
Professor Jameson’s Journal, are of the greatest importance; they 
have been conducted with great care, and so far as they have been 
prosecuted have been accompanied by results as satisfactory perhaps 
as we could expect from the whole difficulty of the subject. The sum 
of our knowledge at the present time, so far as regards the common 
Salmon, is, that we have hitherto been in error in considering its 
growth to be rapid during the first stages of its existence, and that it 
does not migrate until at least one year’s residence in the fresh waters. 
On reaching the sea however the increase in size becomes very great, 
exceeding one pound in weight monthly. It has been further proved 
incontestably we think by Mr. Shaw, that the great proportion of 
the small fish called Parrs, or in the English rivers Pinks*, are the 
first state of the young Salmon previous to its assuming the migratory 
dress; but the additional proposition that the Parr does not exist 
at all as a distinct fish, is extremely questionable, and still requires 
investigation. At present the opinions of all our best ichthyologists 
are in favour of its distinctness, andthe minute and careful differences 
detailed by Dr. Parnell in his “Fishes of the Frith of Forth,” go 
very far to prove everything that is wanting. The history of the other 
migratory fish remains nearly in the same state in which it has been 
for the last thirty years, though the works before us have commenced 
their elucidation, and some experiments are now in progress. The 
geographical distribution of the species has not been at all at- 


* See Mr. Yarrell’s figures in the work we have placed at the head of this 
notice. 


Bibliographical Notices. 331 


tempted, and the facts which relate or bear upon it are few in num- 
ber. 

The publication of the History of the Freshwater Fishes of Central 
Europe by M. Agassiz has been looked forward to with interest by 
British ichthyologists. Some of the plates for it were engraved so 
far back as 1832, and the long time which it has been known to be in 
preparation, with the high scientific character of its author, raised 
the expectations of those who were studying the same subject. The 
first livraison of plates has now reached this country, accompanied 
only with simple explanations, so that we do not yet receive the 
views of M. Agassiz upon many of the obscure points, but can only 
guess at what may be his probable conclusions. The mode of publi- 
cation is however otherwise excellent, each livraison being intended 
to contain complete illustrations of a family or group, so that the 
whole is brought under review at once, and is not scattered about as 
so commonly occurs in works which appear in numbers. The de- 
scriptive letter-press to this part is promised with the plates of the 
second, which are to illustrate the Coregoni. 

The plates are lithographic, are minutely executed, and those de- 
voted to the details of the fins, scaling, and magnified figures are 
very useful. A plate of details is given with each species. The 
others represent the fish in its various states incident to age and 
season. The first series show the Salmon, M. and F., in its breed- 
ing dress, and a fersale in the state of summer or high condition 
after having newly entered a river. ‘These figures lead us to believe, 
what we have long suspected, that the Salmon of many of the 
continental rivers differed or was not identical with the common 
British fish. They are reduced from specimens upwards of three feet 
in length ; at this age and size the tail in both sexes of the latter 
would be completely square, and the scale represented fig. 3. tab. 1a. 
is fully two-thirds less. The markings in tab. 2. also differ much. Six 
plates are devoted to the illustration of S. fario. Some of the figures 
are of importance as showing what is to be understood by the S. mar- 
moratus, Cuv., and the S. sylvaticus of Shrank: but with the En- 
glish synonyms we cannot agree, they are given, “the Trout, the 
common Trout, the river Trout, the Gillaroo, the Parr (a young 
Trout).”’ Now the Gillaroo of Ireland still requires investigation, 
and we have reason to believe that it will form a distinct species. 
The Parr of Scotland has no connexion with S. fario*, and the 


* For distinctive characters between the Scotch Parr and common S. fario 
see Sir W. Jardine in Proceedings of Berwickshire Club. For characters 
separating it from the young of the Salmon and migratory Trout, see Mr. 
Yarrell’s British Fishes; and Dr. Parnell, Fishes of the Frith of Forth. 


332 ~. Bibliographieal Notices. 


figure given as the supposed ‘‘ Parr or young Trout’ has been un- 
doubtedly designed from a young specimen of true S. fario. We may 
also remark that all the examples figured are from specimens agree- 
ing with a very marked but not uncommon variety of the Scottish 
S. fario found in the smaller alpine streams. On tab. JII 5. are 
given representations of the head of a deformed Trout, similar to 
that represented by Mr. Yarrell, and which we know to occur in se- 
veral lochs in Wales and in Scotland, and to be not uncommon in the 
localities where it is found. The malformation is extremely uni- 
form or similar in all the specimens or representations of it which 
we have seen, but the cause has not yet been noticed, nor has it been 
attempted to be accounted for. Is the race continued by breeding? 

Seven plates illustrate two species of migratory Trout which are 
given under the names of S. trutta and lacustris, Linn.*. In these 
we think we recognise the two British fishes which have been con- 
founded under the provincial name of “‘ Sea Trout.’’ They are very 
distinct in some of their states, and the form of the tail distinguishes 
them, together with the colours during the breeding season, but we 
should have preferred to have seen figures of these species when in 
high condition; residence in a lake may in various ways influence 
the form. The young of these fish constitutes the S. albus of Fleming. 
Should the S. trutta of this work not stand as S. eriox of Willughb. ? 

The Char are all placed under S. umbla, Linn., and the ‘‘ Welsh 
Char” is given as an English synonym. Although we know the Char 
to vary very considerably, we are inclined to refer the British fish to 
two species, chiefly distinguished by the great difference in the scaling. 
Those figured by M. Agassiz seem all referable to the ‘‘ Northern 
Char” of modern British writers. 

S. hucho of the Danube, unknown in the British waters, is repre- 
sented in the young and adult states, and the last plates delineate the 
Thymallus vevillifer, Agass., or Common Grayling, found only by 
the British ichthyologist. in certain districts in England. 

In looking at the list of the Salmon of Britain and Central Europe 
comparatively, we are prepared for a close resemblance of species ; 
but from the work before us we perceive one species, S. hucho of 
the Danube, which does not occur in Britain or Ireland, while we 
find omitted the Bull Trout of the river Tweed, (the S. eriox of some 
authors, but not of Willughby,) and the great Trout of the Scotch, 
Irish, and North of England lakes. These we have no doubt in being 
distinct species, and it appears to us remarkable that the latter should 


* We are presuming that the S. /acustris here given is a migratory 
species, and if so we think the name objectionable. 


Bibliographical Notices. 333 


be wanting to the Swiss lakes. Among the common Trout, S. fario, 
we feel inclined to adopt more species than those of the Swiss ich- 
thyologist, but as the specimens now figured are chiefly river varie- 
ties, and certainly all one species, we are not so able to judge how 
the varieties in the lakes of Central Europe agree with those from 
the lochs of Scotland and Ireland, or how the characters which we 
think entitle them to separation are kept up in other localities. We 
shall look anxiously for the appearance of the Second Livraison and 
the letter-press, when we shall endeavour to enter more fully upon 
this curious subject; in the mean time we would wish that encou- 
ragement to the work in this country which is due to the persever- 
ing zeal of its author. 

The History of the British Salmonide, by Sir W. Jardine, which 
stands next upon our list, is a work which has also been some time 
in preparation, and of which the first Fasciculus of six plates is now 
published*. The figures are here drawn as near the size of life as 
that of the paper will admit of, and are engraved with the view of 
giving the effect of the newly taken fish ; all the details of anatomy, 
scaling, and outward structure, which require most minute execu- 
tion, being reserved for the volume which will contain the descrip- 
tive letter-press, and which will appear with the last fasciculus of the 
plates. The sketches for the colouring we know to have been nearly 
all made at the water’s edge from the fish when newly caught; thus 
endeavouring to preserve an imitation of the rich tints which so 
quickly fade, and are lost in preserved specimens; and the depart- 
ment itself has been entrusted to, and performed with much credit 
by Mr. Bayfield of London. It is expected that the whole species 
found in the waters of Britain and Ireland will be illustrated in six 
fasciculi, or upon from thirty-six to forty plates. 

On the two first plates before us are figured the Gilse or state of 
S. salar before having spawned, the second being named with a? and 
considered to represent the same state of the second species of Bri- 
tish Salmon, whose history has scarcely yet been noticed by our 
ichthyologists. Plate 3. represents S. albus of Fleming, given under 
that name to identify without doubt the fish alluded to in the “ Bri- 
tish Animals,” and so often referred to by our modern writers. This 
is now known to be the young of our migratory species confused 
together, and in this state extremely difficult to separate. 4. isa 
variety of the large S. feror, which we noticed M. Agassiz does not 
‘include in his list of the fishes of Central Europe; the specimen is 


* See Prospectus published in Annals of Nat. History, vol. ii. p. 188, 


334. Bibliographical Notices. 


remarkable for the close and numerous spottings over the whole 
body: 5. are two beautiful lacustrine varieties of S. fario, and 6. 
exhibits figures of the Lochmaben Coregonus, C. Willughbeii, Jard. 
The second fasciculus, which is in preparation, will contain, 1. S.sa- 
lar, adult male in the dress of the spawning season; 2. S. salar in 
avery young state; 3.8. trutta, adult; 4. S. trutta in the dress 
’ of spawning season; 5. S. fario river varieties ; and 6. S. fario in 
the spawning dress. 

The work of Mr. Yarrell forms another interesting addition to our 
knowledge of the Natural History of the Salmon. The young of the 
Salmon (in the district where the experiments were made called 
Pinks) were put into an artificial lake on the property of Thomas 
Upton, Esq. of Ingmire Hall, having no outlet or feeder by which 
other fish could gain admittance. ‘These were afterwards taken at 
intervals of from eleven to twenty-seven months, and Mr. Yarrell’s 
description and plates detail and exhibit the changes and appearance 
of the fish when taken from the lake. The experiments of Mr. Up- 
ton and Mr. Parker corroborate in general what Mr. Shaw has so 
successfully proved in Scotland, and are interesting as showing 
the change in colouring undergone by the Pinks at the period when 
the clear and silvery scaling is assumed ; but beyond the time when 
the migratory change takes place we cannot depend upon the in- 
crease of weight or size. Any one accustomed to see many Salmon 
in different states fresh from their native rivers, and to compare them 
with fish kept artificially, could at once say that Nos. 4, 5, and 6 had 
been kept in fresh water ; this is particularly evident in the form of 
Nos. 4 and 5, and we would account for the comparatively fine con- 
dition of No. 6 by the lake being newly completed, and unstocked 
(we presume) with other fish. It is well known how much common 
Trout are influenced in their condition by being placed in a newly 
formed pond or lake. The drawings by Mr. C. Curtis illustrating 
Mr. Yarrell’s paper were exhibited to the British Association at 
Newcastle, and were then much admired. The coloured engravings 
from these now published, are executed with great minuteness and 
delicacy. 


Narrative of an Expedition into Southern Africa during the years 
1836 and 1837, from the Cape of Good Hope through the Terri- 
tories of the Chief Moselekatse to the tropic of Capricorn. By 
Captain W. C. Harris. 8vo. Bombay, 1838. Murray, London. 
(Reprinted) 1839. 


This. volume may perhaps be thought by some scarcely to come 


Bibliographical Notices. 335 


under the range of works which should be noticed in the ‘ Annals,’ 
but as the author tells us that ‘‘ both from education and taste,’’ he 
** possessed an ardent desire to contribute his mite to the geography 
and natural history of the countries” he ‘‘ was about to explore ;’”’ and 
that there are interspersed through the work anecdotes of several 
rare animals, which though not written for the naturalist are ex- 
tremely interesting to him ; we have thought it worth while to bring 
it under the notice of our readers. Capt. Harris seems to have been 
born a sportsman, possessing the bump of destructiveness in its fullest 
development. At a very early age (16) he received a commission in 
the army in India, where he was “entered” at the Lion and Tiger 
of the East: but not satisfied with the gorgeous scenery and abun- 
dant game which this continent produced ; hankering after the tales 
of travellers in the plains of Southern Africa, and considering that 
country as the “fairy land of sport,” the ‘ hunter’s paradise,” he 
took advantage of a banishment to the Cape of Good Hope by the 
Medical Board, to project a realization of his young dreams of the 
interior; and, having found a brother sportsman, they set out upon 
their expedition with a retinue of horses, oxen, wagons, and Hot- 
tentots for Graham’s Town, travel by Kuruman or New Litakoo 
to the residence of Moselekatse the Matabili chief, penetrate still 
northward to the river Limpopo, and return again to the colony 
by the route of the Vaal river. The volume is pleasantly written, and 
carries on both the sportsman and naturalist. Some of the descrip- 
tions of scenery are beautifully sketched ; and if some of the hunting 
scenes seem as if coloured with a sportsman’s licence, and the rifle is 
used with Kentucky precision, we can excuse the enthusiasm which 
prompted the tale, and knowing the feelings which excite the com- 
paratively puny European sportsman, who has hooked and mas- 
tered his first twenty-five or thirty pound Salmon, or sees his first 
red Deer fall in the glens of Athoi or the wild forests of Ross, we 
can join with the ‘ tingling excitement” experienced when gallop- 
ing side by side with the ‘‘ Swan-necked Giraffe,” and the ‘ burst- 
ing exultation” when looking down on the first noble prize he had 
won. | 

To the naturalist the volume is interesting as detailing different 
traits in the habits of several of the rarer Antelopes, It confirms 
the remarkable manner in which many of the species are restricted, 
as it were almost by a line, within certain boundaries, and the 
incredible troops in which they migrate and are spread over the in- 
terior, where the arrows and pitfalls or traps of the natives, and 
the ravages of the larger Feline are as nothing compared with the 


336 Bibliographical Notices. 


increase. All these animals are said by Capt. Harris to be easily 
overtaken by a good and well-conditioned horse, their very speed 
being their destruction, frantic terror at such novel enemies causing 
them to spend their strength in the exertions of a few miles. The 
speed of the Camelopard is extraordinary, but ‘ our best horses 
were able to close with him in about two miles.” 

The great fault of Capt. Harris’s book is a constant attempt to 
assume a scientific character, which every page contradicts. ‘There 
is no precise information on the subject either of zoology or geogra- 
phy, the two branches which the author particularly boasts of his 
desire to investigate ; he does not appear to have made a single ob- 
servation to ascertain either the latitude, longitude, or elevation of 
the places he visited, nor to have carried any instruments for that 
purpose ; and this is the more to be regretted, as he visited a part of 
the country very seldom penetrated by Europeans. The positions 
on his map are consequently laid down at least 20° wrong in lati- 
tude, and their longitude of course must have been taken at random. 
Though not a practised zoologist, Capt. Harris’s hints on habits and 
localities are often valuable, and they are given but as incidental 
to the great thread of his discourse, which is a lively narrative of a 
shooting excursion and nothing more; but this very character de- 
prives them of suspicion. To the end of the volume is added a de- 
scriptive Catalogue of the Mammalia of Southern Africa, but which 
contains little that was not previously known: it is in fact chiefly 
copied (though without acknowledgement) from Dr. Andrew Smith’s 
« African Zoology,” a small work printed at Cape Town about eight 
or ten years since, and we believe never published, though freely cir- 
culated among the friends of the amiable and talented author. 

We have thus attempted to give a fair and impartial account of 
Capt. Harris’s volume. It is written in the lively dashing spirit of 
a soldier and a sportsman: no one can read it without amusement, 
and few without some instruction; and if truth has obliged us to 
mingle some slight censure with our general praise of the perform- 
ance, it is because the pretensions which the author makes to sci- 
entific knowledge create expectations which are disappointed in the 
perusal. 


Deutschlands Lebermoose in getrockneten Exemplaren. Herausgege- 
ben von Dr. J. W. P. Hubener und C. F. E. Genth. 8vo. Mainz. 
Florian Kupferberg, 1836—1839. Nos. 1 to 5. 

To such of our readers as are students or collectors of Crypto- 
gamic plants, and we hope and believe that this class of botanists has 


Bibliographical Notices. , 337 
greatly increased of late in this country, we strongly recommend 
this collection of specimens of the Hepatice of Germany. Each 
number contains 25 specimens, with the names and localities, but 
unaccompanied with descriptions. As might be expected, the great 
majority of the plants given belong to the genus Jungermannia, but 
specimens referred to the genera Riccia, Marchantia, Anthoceros, 
and others recently separated from these are also given, so that the 
collection may ultimately include, as far as possible, all the species 
of Hepatice found in Germany. The specimens are good, and very 
well preserved. 


A. Bertolonii Flora Italica, sistens Plantas in Italia et in Insulis cir- 
cumstantibus sponte nascentes. Bononie, 1833-39. 8vo. 

We have recently received the first Fasciculus of the 4th volume 
of the above work, which we must crave the pardon of our botanical 
readers for not having sooner introduced to their notice. It is quite 
unnecessary for us to say anything in praise of the high botanical 
attainments of Prof. Bertoloni, since they are universally allowed to 
have raised him into the first rank of modern botanists; a character 
fully supported by the work before us. It is the author’s intention 
to describe all the plants indigenous to Italy and the adjacent islands, 
and this he has now done (in the first three volumes), as far as the 
end of Pentandria, in a more complete manner, with fuller descrip- 
tions, more numerous synonyms, and with a greater number of cri- 
tical and explanatory observations than we have met with in any 
other Flora. In the part commencing the fourth volume, which is 
now more particularly under our notice, the ciass Hexandria is com- 
menced ; and in order to convey some idea of the extent of the Flora, 
and the space devoted to the several species, we append a list of the 
genera described in this fasciculus of 128 octavo pages, and mark 
by the numbers following each name, the number of species included 
in each genus :—Galanthus 2, Leucojum 5, Narcissus 12, Pancra- 
tium 2, Sternbergia 2, Allium 31, Lilium 5, Friiillaria 3, Erythro- 
nium 1, Tulipa 8, Ornithogalum 12, Scilla 12, Asphodelus 5, Anthe- 
ricum 4. In Sir J. E. Smith’s ‘English Flora’ the corresponding 
genera occupy only 22 pages and include 24 species; im Bertoloni’s 
work they occupy 128 pages, and include 114 species. 

We cannot too highly recommend this work to the notice of Bri- 
tish botanists, more especially from its including (as far as at pre- 
sent published) nearly all the native plants of our own country, and 
placing them in juxtaposition with the numerous allied species 
which are found in the south of Europe. 

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.4. No. 25. Jan. 1840. 2B 


338 Bibliographical Notices. 


Verzeichniss der in Jahre 1832 im dstlichen Theile der Altai-gebirges 
gesammelten Pflanzen. Ein Supplement zur Flora Altaica, von Al. 
v. Bunge. 8vo. St. Petersburg, 1836. 


This Supplement to the Flora Altaica is quite essential to all those 
who possess that excellent work. It is extracted from the Mémoires 
de l’Académie de St. Pétersbourg, and contains a catalogue, with nu- 
merous descriptions and observations, of the plants collected by M. 
Bunge in the eastern part of the Altai Mountains in 1832, and not- 
withstanding its German title, is wholly written in Latin. Many new 
plants are described, and fuller accounts given of species incom- 
pletely noticed in the Flora Altaica. 


Fungorum et Byssorum Illustrationes, &c. By F. Fulg. Chevallier. 
Fasc. I. With 52 coloured Plates. Lipsie, Strasburgi et Parisiis, 
1837. , 


This work contains many beautifully drawn and well-executed 
plates, especially of the larger Fungi. The illustrations of the more 
minute species we think far less happy, and they are extremely poor 
in anatomical details. We find, too, more than one well-known spe- 
cies published as new. 

Pterodinia nivea is clearly Isaria intricata, var. subsimplex, Schum. 

Fusisporium palustre has long since been published by Desmaziére, 
under the name of Psilonia Arundinis, and it is described in the third 
volume of Fries. 

Psilonia Buxi, already placed by Fries in the genus Fusisporium, has 
a new specific name given to it. 

If we mistake not, “thalium melanum isa state of Licea cylindrica, 
figured by Nees under the name of Dermodium fallaz. 

A few other points of less importance might be noticed. 

With these exceptions the work may be pronounced as a beautiful 
contribution to the stock of Mycological illustrations, though it does 
not make any important addition to our knowledge of Fungi. 


Linnea. Vol. XIII. Part 3. 1839. 


On the development of the. spores in Anthoceros levis; by Prof. 
Mohl. With a Plate.—Appendix to observations on the hairs in the 
air-tubes of Limnanthemum and Villarsia ; by Dr.S. F. Hoffmann.— 
Observations on American Bauhinie; by Dr. Vogel.—Synopsis of 
Scandinavian Drabe; by Al. Ed. Lindblom.—Notice of the con- 
tinuation of Bartling and Hampe’s Vegetabilia Cellularia by Hampe 
alone. 


Linnean Society. 339 


British Coleoptera delineated, consisting of Figures of all the Genera 
of British Beetles drawn in outline. By W. Spry, M.E.S., edited 
by W. E. Shuckard, Lib. R.S. Nos. 1—6. To be continued 
Monthly, each Number containing Six Plates and Illustrating 
nearly fifty Genera. 


This work, of which six numbers have regularly appeared, is adapted 
to serve as an illustration to the different works on the subject pub- 
lished without plates. The figures of the insects are faithfully and 
correctly drawn, considering at the same time the low price at which 
they are published, scarcely three farthings a genus. They are not 
indeed to be compared to the artistical plates of Curtis; but they are 
accurate enough to serve the purposes for which they are intended, 
and are executed in a style of lithography which we have not before 
seen employed in this country though much used on the continent 
for natural history publications, and are well adapted for the pur- 
pose of illustration. 


PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. 


LINNZAN SOCIETY, 
December 3.—Edward Forster, Esq., V.P., in the Chair. 


The Rev. W. 8. Hore exhibited a specimen of a remarkable va- 
riety of Duck, supposed to be hybrid between the Anas Boschas 
and Anas acuta of Linnzeus. 

Read, ‘‘ Descriptions of three Vegetable Monstrosities lately found 
at York.” By the Rev. W. Hincks, M.A., F.L.S. 

Two of these monstrosities occur in species of Iris, and much re- 
semble each other. ‘The species are J. versicolor and I. sambucina. 
They have 5 parts in each circle, except that the inner circle of pe- 
tals consists of 4 in one instance and only 3 in the other. It is suf- 
ficiently manifest that they are produced by the union of two flowers 
to form each, and they lead to the conclusion that when Irises with 
4 parts in each circle occur (which are not very uncommon) they are 
unions of two flowers, one-third part of each having perished in the 
junction. Various other monstrosities consisting in the union of 
two flowers were compared with the subjects of the description, par- 
ticularly some of Génothera, flowers having 7 petals, 14 stamens, 
and 7 stigmas, where the parts preserved in the union are in exactly 
the same proportion as in the Irises. 

The third specimen described as a monstrous union of 4 flowers 

2B2 


340 Linnean Society. 


in Scrophularia nodosa. The flower-stalk may be perceived to be 
formed by the adherence of several stalks. ‘The parts found are 15 
sepals, 16 petals, 20 stamens, 2 separate ovaria, each with 2 carpels, 
and a third ovarium formed by the adherence of 2 more, and con- 
sisting of 8 carpels. Explanations were attempted of the manner in 
which the union of 4 flowers would account for these numbers of 
parts. The increased developement of the circle of stamens, 5 ap- 
pearing for each flower, though of these several are united in threes 
together, and two are imperfect, and the increased number of carpels 
in two of the united flowers, are interesting facts. They show that 
the union of the flowers had the effect of diminishing and rendering 
more equable the pressure on the interior circles so as to allow of 
the growth of parts which are usually abortive. 

There was also read, ‘“‘ A monograph of Streptopus, with the de- 
scription of a new genus now first separated from it.” By D. Don, 
Esq., Libr. L.S., Prof. Bot. King’s College. 

The genus Streptopus was established by the elder Richard in 
Michaux’s ‘ Flora Boreali-Americana,’ and was intended to include, 
besides the Uvularia amplevifolia of Linneus, which is to be regarded 
as the type, two other species, then entirely new to botanists, namely, 
S. roseus and lanuginosus. The first is common to Europe and Ame- 
rica, while the two last are confined to the latter continent. A fourth 
species, a native of Gosaingthan and Kamaon, was described under 
the name of simplex in the ‘ Prodromus Flore Nepalensis.’ The /anu- 
ginosus is considered by Professor Don as the type of a new genus, 
which he has named Prosartes, and which is distinguished from 
Streptopus by its lengthened filaments, binary pendulous ovula, and 
terminal inflorescence. In Streptopus the filaments are short, with 
erect sagittate anthers, the cells of its baccate pericarpium are po- 
lyspermous, the seeds erect, and the flowers are axillary and solitary. 
Both genera belong to the Smilacee, and serve to connect that family 
with Melanthacee. The characters of the new genus and of the 
species belonging to both are here subjoined :— 


1. S. amplexifolius (Lam. et DeCand. Fl. Franc. 3. p. 174.), glaber ; 
pedunculis medio convolutis appendiculatis, sepalis obtusé acumi- 
natis, antheris sagittatis acuminatis, stigmate trilobo, baccz loculis 
6-spermis. 

2. S. roseus (Mich. Fl. Bor. Amer. i. p. 201.), hirtellus; foliis ciliatis, pe- 
dunculis recurvatis subbifloris, sepalis lanceolatis acuminatis, antheris 
bicuspidatis filamentorum longitudine, stigmatibus stylo 6-plo brevi- 
oribus, baccz loculis 4—6-spermis. 


3. S. simplex (Don, Prodr. p. 48.), glaber; pedunculis rectis! nudis, se- 


Zoological Society. 341 


palis obtusis, antheris cordato-lanceolatis obtusis, stigmatibus styli sub- 
longitudine, baccz loculis 10—12-spermis. 


PROSARTES. 
Streptopi sp., Mich. 

Perianthium 6-phyllum, petaloideum, campanulatum, equale, deciduum : 
foliolis basi foveolatis v. saccatis. Stamina 6, basi sepalorum adnata, 
simulque decidua. Anthere erecte, innate, obtuse, biloculares, rima 
duplici marginali longitudinalitér dehiscentes. Ovarium liberum, 3- 
loculare : loculis biovulatis: ovulis obovatis, a placentz apice pendulis! 
Stigmata 3, brevissima, recurvata. Pericarpium baccatum, 3-loculare. 
Semina solitaria, v. rarils bina. 

Herbe (Amer. bor.) perennes, pube ramosd vestita, rhizomate diviso mul- 
ticepite. Caules teretiusculi. Folia sessilia, dilatata. Inflorescentia 
terminalis, umbellata. Bacca rubra. 

1. P. lanuginosa, umbellis bifloris sessilibus, sepalis lanceolatis acumi- 
natis 3-nerviis basi foveolatis, stylo glabro, foliis cordato-ovatis subam- 
plexicaulibus utrinque pubescentibus. 

2. P. Menziesii, umbellis sessilibus bifloris, sepalis oblongis mucronatis 6- 
nerviis margine revolutis basi saccatis, stylo longissimo piloso, foliis 
ovatis sessilibus glabriusculis. 


This new species is a native of the north-west coast of America, 
where it was first found by Mr. Menzies in the voyage of discovery 
under Vancouver, and it has been very properly named in compli- 
ment to that venerable botanist. 

The plant bears a close resemblance to some species of Disporum, 
and it moreover agrees with that genus in its sepals being produced 
into a short spur or pouch at their base. The flowers are consi- 
derably larger than those of lanuginosa, and they are apparently of a 
yellow colour. The style is long and copiously hairy. The genus 
is essentially distinguished from Disporum by its innate anthers, 
nearly concrete styles, and pendulous seeds. 


ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
March 12, 1839.—William Yarrell, Esq., in the Chair. 


Mr. Ogilby communicated a portion of a letter which he had re- 
ceived from M. Temminck. It related to two species of Monkeys, 
Colobus fuliginosus and Papio speciosus ; the former M. Temminck 
considers identical with the Bay-Monkey of Pennant, and he states 
that this opinion is founded upon its agreement with a coloured 
drawing now in his possession; this drawing having been taken 
by Sydenham Edwards from the specimen of the Bay-Monkey 


342 Zoological Society. 


formerly in the Leverian Museum, and which is the original of Pen- 
nant’s description. 

The Macacus speciosus of M. F. Cuvier is stated by M. Tem- 
minck to be founded upon an immature specimen of a species of 
Macacus which inhabits Japan; the habitat of Molucca Islands 
given by M. F. Cuvier being founded upon error. The specimen 
was originally taken from Japan to Java, where it died; the skin 
was preserved, and M. Diard having obtained possession of it, sent 
it to the Paris Museum ; and as there was no label attached, M. F. 
Cuvier imagined it to be a native of the place whence M. Diard had 
sent it. 

Mr. Fox exhibited several birds, which he stated had formed 
part of an extensive collection made in Iceland by the Curator of 
the Durham Museum. 


May 14, 1839.—Sir John P. Boileau, Bart., in the Chair. 


The Rev. F. W. Hope exhibited a portion of his collection of in- 
sects, in order to illustrate a paper entitled ‘A Monograph on Mr. 
William Sharp MacLeay’s Coleopterous Genus Euchlora.” 


Genus Evcutora, MacLeay. 


Me totonrsaa, Linn., Fab. & Olivier. 

Antenne articulis novem, basilari conico elongato, 2do, 3tio, 4to, 
5to et 6to brevibus subglobosis; capitulo ovato, triphyllo, elongato, 
antennarum longitudinis totius haud dimidium zequante. 

Labrum prominulum, clypeo fere absconditum, margine antico 
lineari, ciliato, emarginato, lateribus rotundatis. 

Mandibule \atitantes, subtrigonzee supra plane, latere externo 
rotundato, interno ciliato, ad apicem 3-dentato. 

Mazille caule subtrigono-triquetro, ad apicem inflexe 6-den- 
tatee. 

Palpi mazillares articulo terminali cylindrico ovato. 

Labiales articulis 2do et ultimo longitudine zqualibus hoc sub- 
ulato. 

Mentum subquadratum, margine antico emarginato angulis trun- 
catis rotundatis ac lateribus sinuatis, posticé valdé convexis, 

Caput subquadratum clypeo lateribus rotundatis margine reflexo. 

Corpus ovatum convexum posticé elytris haud opertum. Thorax 
subquadratus ad basin duplo longior quam latior, latere postico 
sinuato vix lobato. 

Scutellum parvum cordato-truncatum. Sternum haud productum. 

Pedes validiusculi tibiis anticis 3-dentatis. Tarsorum ungues 


Zoological Society. 343 


posticorum indivisi reliquorum ex unguibus unus bifidus, alter in- 
divisus. 

** It is in the warm and tropical regions of the world that we find 
vastness one of the leading characteristics of animal life. It is in 
the same regions also, amongst the class of insects, that we find a 
corresponding magnitude attended with a wonderful increase of spe- 
cies, many examples of which might here be mentioned. It is suf- 
ficient for our purpose at present to note only a few of them, such 
as the Sternocera, among the Buprestide; Lamia, belonging to the 
Longicorn beetles, and Melolontha and Euchlora, well-known genera 
pertaining to the Lamellicorns. With regard to vegetation, there 
will also be found an equal magnitude of stature and a luxuriance 
of foliage quite in proportion to what occurs even in the animal 
world. If we look to the tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Ame- 
rica, we shall find a similarity of character generally predominating : 
but it is in the tropical jungle chiefly, and on the banks and estuaries 
of mighty rivers, that insects will be found, not only formidable by 
their size, but remarkably numerous in species and individuals. The 
genus Huchlora of Mr. MacLeay, to which at present I wish to 
draw your attention, is not very distinguished for its size, although 
larger than all the allied genera belonging to the family. The pre- 
dominating colour is green, and the abundance of individuals be- 
longing to some of the species is incalculable. I may mention, en 
passant, that the thousands which have annually been imported 
into Europe, appear from inquiry not in the least to have thinned 
their numbers. On one occasion I received forty Chinese boxes, 
and in each of them (I speak greatly within bounds) there were at 
least twenty specimens of Kuchlora viridis. These boxes are im- 
ported into England, and other parts of Europe, in great quantities, 
and there is scarcely a museum at home or abroad, however insig- 
nificant it may be, but exhibits its Atlas Moths, its purple-coloured 
Sagra, and less attractive Euchlora, in tolerable profusion. I have 
stated above that the prevailing colour of the species is green, but 
there are some exceptions. The under side of some of them is 
usually a bronze, or a rose-coloured copper; some of them green — 
above and beneath; others green above and yellow beneath; while 
some again are blue on the same side, with the play of light appearing 
of a violet colour. With regard to the colour of insects, greens, as far 
as my observations go, naturally on one side merge into blues and 
violets, and on the other into orange and yellows. Instead of occu- 
pying the time of the meeting with a question at present (as far as 
regards insects) comparatively little studied or understood, I pro- 


344 Zoological Society. 


ceed to remark on the geographical distribution of the family Lu- 
chloride. Had some of the Continental entomologists been better 
acquainted with Mr. MacLeay’s Hore Entomologice, they certainly 
never would have considered Kuchlora as an European genus. Ina 
late work, published in Paris, the “‘ Histoire Naturelle des Animaux 
Articulées” (at page 135), we find under the generic name Euchlora, 
not only Mimela and Aprosterna included, but also Anomala, &c. 
It is singular that the same appellation is given to twenty-two spe- 
cies therein specified, a short analysis of which I now place before 
you, and shall then allude more particularly to the genera composing 
the family, the range over which it extends, and mention the coun- 
tries and localities in which they severally occur. 

‘‘ Of the above twenty-two species, five of them appear to be true 
Euchlore, two others belong to Mimela, Kirby, another to Rhom- 
bonyx, Kirby, and the remaining fourteen to Anomala of Megerle, as 
it now stands. Before I conclude these remarks on the species of 
the genus before us, it is necessary to state that I have elevated 
Kuchlora to the rank of a family, the following genera properly be- 
longing to it. 

Evcuuoripa, Hope. 


Genera. Country. Species known, 
1. Buchlora, . MacLeay ..:°. sARIR i. he ities! eh BO 
2. Aprosterna, Hope . . . Asiaand Africa. . . 5 
oo: Mime A, 5 FEO 6 5 ARN Teo oot ed eee 
4. Rhombonyx,Kirby. . . Siberiaand China. . 2 
5 


. Anomala, Megerle . . Old and New World . 120 


pe 


179 
Genus 1. Evucuiora. 


‘* The family of Euchloride, from the above table, consists of five 
genera, and nearly two hundred species, which have fallen under my 
notice. True Euchlora, I state, belongs exclusively to Asia and its 
isles. It occurs as far south as Manilla, appears at Singapore, and 
runs from thence through the continent of India up to the Hima- 
laya; the extreme eastern point appears to be Japan, while its 
western range does not reach Bombay, probably from the interven- 
tion of some physical barrier. Captain Ezra Downes has taken it 
at Neemuch. The Entomology of that district essentially agrees 
in character with that of Calcutta and Madras, at the latter of which 
places Euchlora is taken. 


Genus 2. ApROsTERNA. 
“This genus is not peculiar to Asia, as some of the species are 


found in New Guinea. 


Zoological Society. 345 


Genus 3. Mimeta. 
“ This elegant genus, rivalling in colour and splendour the Bupres- 
tide, is confined to Asia; it ranges wherever Euchlora is found. 


Genus 4. RaomBonyx. 

“This genus is probably peculiar to Asia. One species is found 
in China, and the other, I have reason to think, is only found in 
Asiatic Siberia. 

Genus 5. ANoMALA. 

‘** Anomala is common to the four quarters of the globe, and may 
properly be divided into three if not four subgenera, which task I 
willingly leave to other entomologists. 

‘‘ In concluding these observations on Euchlora, I have only to add, 
that it may excite some surprise that this genus extends far into the 
Himalayan regions; it may be explained however, satisfactorily, by 
the influence of local causes. It is an ascertained fact, that tropical 
vegetation often extends into high latitudes, and why, then, may we 
not expect to find insects which feed upon it, and are intended pro- 
bably to keep it within due bounds? 

‘« From information given to me by my friend Professor Royle, I 
state that the tropic-girt base of the Himalayas is characterized by 
a vigorous and luxurious vegetation. 

«In the same regions there is also an uniformity or great equality 
of temperature, well adapted for animal as well as vegetable life. 
The exuberance of the latter adds to the humidity of the atmo- 
sphere, as well by the exhalation of the foliage as by preventing 
free evaporation from the soil. In the boundless forest and inter- 
minable jungle there will generally be found a great equality of tem- 
perature, brought about in consequence of the umbrageous shelter 
impeding the absorption of heat by day, as it checks the free radia- 
tion of it at night. It is then, owing to the presence of tropical 
vegetation, united with moisture, that there arises considerable uni- 
formity of temperature ; in a word, it is from local causes that we 
are enabled to explain the reasons why we meet with the repre- 
sentatives of tropical genera of plants and insects extending into 
higher latitudes than at first might naturally be expected.” 


Sp. 1. Eucuzora viripis, Fabricius. 

Long. lin. 12; Lat. lin. 7. 

E. glabra, punctata, supra viridis nitens sublis cupreo-aurata, 

pedibus cupreis. Sternum haud porrectum. 

Vide Oliv. Mel. Tab. 9. fig. 21°. 

Hab. in China. 

Varietas H. elytris cupreo-marginatis, corpore supra @neo mar- 
ginato, antennisque picets. 


346 Zoological Society. 


This species is found also at Singapore, Assam, in Bengal, and in 
the island of Ceylon. On the under side it is of a rose-coloured 
copper, appearing about the sternum and the lower rings of the 
abdomen of a brassy vivid green. 


Sp. 2. Ev. surrnir, MacLeay. 

Long. lin. 11; Lat. lin. 6. 

E. nitidissima, glabro-punctata, supra viridi-olivacea, subtis 
viridi-cuprea, thorace utrinque punctis duobus impressis, pedibus 
viridibus, nitidis. 

Antenne picee Tmo articulo virescente. _Totum corpus supra 
viride, aureo-opalino colore tinctum, infra viridi-eneum, pedibus 
supra et infra viridibus. 

Hab. in Java, Mus. Dom. MacLeay. . 

**T have received this species from Java; it varies in size, and may 
at once be distinguished from . viridis by its smooth upper sur- 
face, which is of an opalescent bright green; its under side is also 
more brilliant, and of a golden-coloured bronze ; the tibiee and tarsi 
are invariably green. The H. MacLeaii of Mr. Kirby’s MSS. is 
only a large variety of this species.” 


Sp. 3. Ev. cupripzes. | 

Long. lin. 12; Lat. lin. 64. 

Affinis Euchl. viridi, MacLeay, at major. Corpus ovatum ; supra 

viride glabrum, subtus roseo-cupreum, pedibus cupreis. 

‘« This insect is closely allied to H. viridis, MacLeay ; it is, how- 
ever, distinct. Véridis in form is oval. Cupripes, ovate: the under 
side is of a rich rose-coloured copper, without any eneous tinge. I 
have received one specimen from Java, and a second from the Te- 
nasserim coast.” 

Hab. in India Orientali. Mus. Dom. Hope. 


Sp. 4. Ev. eranpis. 

Long. lin. 14; Lat. lin. 8. 

E. glabra, punctata supra viridis, nitens, subtads viridi-cuprea, tho- 
race utringue puncto laterali medio leviter impresso, pedibusque 
viridibus. 

Hab. in Calcutta? Mus. Dom. Hope. 

‘«« T obtained this species from Calcutta; I am doubtful, however, if 
that be its real habitat. It is stuck with a needle, like most of the 
Chinese insects, and may have been imported into Calcutta. It is at 
present the largest species of Huchlora I am acquainted with.” 


Sp. 5. Ev. MacLzayaya, Vigors. 

Long. lin. 13,; Lat. ;%. 

E. pallidé virescens, capite thoraceque punctis aureis confertis 
splendentibus ; elytris punctatis flavo-marginatis ; corpore subtis 
pedibusque aureo-cupreis. 

Antenne aureo-cupree. Corpus subtis pedesque aureo-cuprei, al- 

bide pilosi. Clypeus aureus. Scutellum nitidum, parce punctatum. 

Hab. in India Orientali. In Mus. Dom. Vigors. 

‘« It is difficult to convey, either by description or representation, 

a just idea of the beauty of this superb insect, which was obtained 


Zoological Society. 347 


from Madras. It was named by Mr. Vigors in honour of Mr, William 
Sharp MacLeay.” 


Sp. 6. Ev. smaraepina, Eschcholtz. 

Long. lin, 114; lat. lin. 54, 

£. supra viridi-orichalcea; subtus, femoribus, thoracis pygidiique 
marginibus externis fusco-auratis, capite thoraceque dense punctu- 
latis, elytris vagé punctulatis seriebusque punctorum plurimis. 

Hab. in Insula Luzonum, Manilla. 

*«'The above insect I received from Dr. Eschcholtz*.”’ 


Sp. 7. Ev. Srzzoxpiz. 

Long. lin. 104; lat. lin. 64. 

Affinis precedenti; glabra punctata, supra viridis; thoracis late- 
ralibus marginibus fusco-auratis. Pygidium viridi-cupreum. Cor- 
pus infra roseo-cupreum, et nitidum. Pectus subargented sericie 
obsitum. Pedes supra virides, subtus cupreo-aurati ; femoribus 

— cupreis et nitidis. 
Hab. in Madagascar. Captus celeberrimo Macklotio. 
‘* This species is allied to #. smaragdina of Eschcholtz, but may at 
once be distinguished by the different colour of the pygidium, that of 
smaragdina being of a brilliant gold-colour.” 


Sp. 8, Ev. auso-priosa, Siebold. 

Long. lin. 10; lat. lin. 5. 

E. glabra punctata supra viridis subtis roseo-cuprea et nitida albo-pi- 

losa, femoribus tibiis tarsisque concoloribus. Caput viride antennis 
fusco-piceis : margines thoracis aurato-virides. Scutellum postice 
cupreum. Elytra lineis longitudinalibus impressa, sutura lete viri- 
dis, marginibus e medio elytrorum ad apicem fusco-membranaceis. 
Corpus infra roseo-cupreum, albo-pilosum. Pygidium viride et 
tomentosum. Pedes cuprei. 

Hab. in Japonia. 

“This singular insect was sent to me by my friend De Haan of 
Leyden. It is remarkable for a dilated margin to the elytra, which 
appears to be membranous. ‘The pubescence also of this species is 
singular.” 


Sp. 9. Ev. Marrinir, Kirby’s MSS. 

Long. lin. 10; lat. lin. 54. 

E, viridis, capite marginibus thoracis auratis, elytris lineis duabus lon- 
gitudinalibus fortiter impressis. Pygidium viridi-cupreum. Cor- 
pus infra roseo-cupreum, femoribus nitidis. 

Hab. in China? 

“« This insect is evidently distinct from any species yet described ; 
it is in a very mutilated state, no tibiz and tarsi remaining. It is 
described from the Rev. William Kirby’s collection, liberally given 
to the Entomological Society by that able naturalist.” 


Sp. 10. Ev. srcotor, Fab. 
Long. lin. 9; lat. lin. 5. 


* It has been reported that the above entomologist died of cholera: it 
appears however that he died of a biJious fever. 


348 Zoological Society. 


Caput viride, margine clypei rufescente antennis rubro-fuscis, glabra 
supra viridis, subius testacea, pedibus apice aureis. Statura Eu- 
chlore viridis at dupld minor : supra tota viridis, glabra, obscura, 
immaculata: subtus obscurior, testacea, @neo colore tincta: fe- 
mora pallidiora tibie et tarsi aurei, (Fab). pygidio obscure viridi. 
Variat colore supra viridi nitido, subtus aureo, et elytris interdum 
apice rujis. 

Hab. in Java. 

‘‘ Fabricius described this insect from Sir Joseph Banks’s cabinet, 
as a species from the Cape of Good Hope. Olivier copied the error, 
and figured one specimen, as obtained from the island of Bourbon. 
Both writers are in error as to locality, as the insect is peculiar to 
Java and the East Indian continent. Mr: Kirby has named the 
above species in his collection HZ. Brightwellii, which I regard only as 
a synonym of #. bicolor.” 


Sp. 11. Ev. perpnexa. 

Long. lin. 8; lat. lin. 44. 

E. glabra, supra viridis, subtis pallidé testacea tibiis tarsisque roseo- 
cupreis. Affinis precedenti at minor. Caput viride margine antico 
subrufo, antennis testaceis. Corpus supra viride, glabrum subtius 
testaceum femoribus concoloribus, tibiis tarsisque roseo-cupreis, 
pygidio viridi, postice flavescente. 

Hab. in agro Nepalensi. 

‘**This species I received from my late lamented friend General 
Hardwicke, and for a long time I regarded it as the true bicolor of 
Fabricius. Professor De Haan of Leyden has latelysent me Z. bicolor, 
Fab., from the island of Java; I have therefore been obliged to name 
an insect which I regarded as previously described. ‘The species are 
closely allied, and might have puzzled any individual. The concise 
descriptions of Fabricius necessarily lead to error. It is of the 
highest importance, then, to obtain authentic specimens from sources 
which may be relied on, and | feel satisfied, that with regard to in- 
sects, unless the few authentic cabinets known are carefully inspect- 
ed, little reliance can be placed on specimens, without they are 
named from comparison.” 


Sp. 12. Ev. reMoRALIs. 

Long. lin. 7; lat. lin. 4. 

E. glabra supra viridis, subtiis rufo-testacea, femoribus flavis. Affinis 
E. bicolori at minor. Clypeus eneo-flavescens. Antenne testacee. 
Thorax marginibus lateralibus concoloribus. Elytra supra viri- 
dia, opalino, seu aureo colore tincta, apice bituberculato. Corpus 
subtis testaceum. Pectus sericie flavo obsitum. Femora flava ; 
tibits, tarsis, chelisque roseo-cupreis. 

Hab. in Java. 

‘«« This species, by the kindness of Dr. Horsfield, I have described 
from the rich collection at the India House. It approaches in form 
the genus Mimela, Kirby. It is remarkable for its opaline play of 
colour, differing in that respect from all the species of my acquaint- 
ance,” oa 


Zoological Society. 349 


Sp. 13. Ev. Dr Haant. 

Long. lin. 114; lat. lin. 6. 

E. viridis leave plaberrond nitida, subtus eneo-viridis, nitido splendore 
conspicua. Caput viride, in medio aureo colore tinctum. Elytra 
glaberrima, sub lente vix subpunctata. Corpus infra smaragdino 
colore ornatum, lateribus pectoris argenteis pilis obsitis, segmentis 
abdominis utrinque pilosis et punctatis. Femora nitida, tibiis for- 
titer variolosis, tarsis chelisque viridibus. 

Hab. in Assam. 

“I have named this species in honour of my friend Professor De 
Haan of Leyden, to whom European entomologists are greatly in- 
debted for the additions made to many of their cabinets.” 

In Mus. Dom. Hope. 


Sp. 14. Ev. prmrprata. 

Long. lin. 11; Lat. lin. 64. 

E. supra tota viridis punctata, subtdts cyanea. Vide Gray’s Zoo- 

logical Miscellany, page 23, sp. 8, under Huchlora dimidiata. 

Clypeus rotundatus, antennis, palpisque piceis. Thorax subtilissimé 
punctatus. LElytra viridia opalino colore tincta, glabra nitida, 
striato-punctata striis parm distinctis, Corpus infra cyaneum, 
violaceo colore mixtum. Pectus pilis flavescentibus obsitum. Pe- 
des cyanei. 

Hab. in agro Nepalensi. 

‘This species was originally described by me among other Coleo- g 

ptera belonging to General Hardwicke’s superb collection, which has." 
passed since his death to the British Museum.” 


Sp. 15. Ev. suncata. 

Long. lin. 10; Lat. lin. 6. 

E. supra viridis, punctata, elytris lineis fortiter sulcatis ; corpore 
infra cyaneo. 

Caput viride. Antenne picee. Thorax utrinque in medio puncto 
impresso. Elytra binis lineis longitudinalibus fortiter impressa, 
seu sulcata, tertia fere humerali ante medium. disci interrupta. 
Corpus subtis cyaneum pedibus concoloribus. Pectus ferrugineis 
capillis sparsim obsitum ; annulis abdominis, pedibusque punctatis. 

Hab. in agro Nepalensi. 

‘*I received this insect from my lamented friend, Gen. Hardwicke, 

and described it concisely some years back in Gray’s Zoological Mis- 
cellany.”’ 


Sp. 16. Ev. suscmrvuea. 

Long. lin. 10; Lat. lin. 5. 

Totum corpus supra et infra subcyaneum. Antenne fusco-picee. 
Caput subquadratum. Oculi nigriiride pallenti. Thorax pune- 
tatissimus. Elytra substriato-punctata apice tuberculato. Corpus 
infra concolor. Pectus cum femoribus flavis capillis obsitum. 
Tarsi cheleque picet. 

Hab. in Java. 

‘« This singular species I am enabled to describe through the kind- 

ness of Dr. Horsfield, of the India House, who has liberally allowed 


350 Zoological Society. 


me to describe some of the nondescripts of the Company’s col- 
lection,” 


Sp. 17. Ev. cuprea Sresorpit. 

Long. lin. 114; Lat. lin. 54. 

Caput clypeo subreflexo oculis nigris. Totum corpus supra ereum 
subtis roseo-cupreum, nitidum. Caput et thorax punctulata. Klytra 
foved impressa, obsolet? striata, punctulata lineis vix distinctis, 
tuberculis apice conspicuis. Pygidium deflecum pilisque aspersum. 
Corpus infra roseo-cupreum nitidum capellis subflavis obsitum. 

Hab. in Japonia. 

“‘ This insect I received from Professor De Haan, of Leyden, with 

Siebold’s name of cuprea attached to it, which I have consequently 
adopted.” 


Sp. 18. Ev. Canrort. 

Long. lin. 10; Lat. lin. 54. 

Affinis precedenti at minor. Caput antic? rotundatum antennis 
piceis, oculisque albis. Totum corpus supra ereum, subtis roseo- 
cupreum, coloreque virescenti tinctum. Caput et thorax subtilis- 
sime punctulata. LElytra @rea, obsolet? striata crebrissime punc- 
tulata. Corpus infra roseo-cupreum femoribus anticts piceo-rubris, 
colore nitidis, tibits tarsis chelisque cupreis. 

‘* This species inhabits Assam; it was given to me by Dr. Cantor, 

in whose honour I have named it*.” 


Sp. 19. Ev. cosrata, De Haan. 

Long. lin. 8£; Lat. lin. 43. 

E. @rea, thorace viridi, elytris costatis, corpore subtis roseo cupreo. 

Caput viridi-auratum antennis flavis oculisque albis. Thorax auratus 

viridique colore tinctus, longitudinali lined medid fortiter impressd, 
crebre punctulatus. Elytra roseo-cuprea, sutura elevata, lineisque 
guatuor in singulo elevatis, interstitiis punctulatis. Pygidium 
flavum, in medio roseo-cupreum, eneo subpunctatum. Corpus infra 
concolor, marginibus thoracis utrinque flavis. 

Hab. in Japonia. 

‘«< This species was sent to me by Professor De Haan, of Leyden ; it 
verges from the typical Euchlore, and appears intermediate between 
Euchloraand Anomala. There is a variety of the above species which 
has the margins of the thorax yellow, and the elytra testaceous, as 
well as its under side and feet yellow. It is probably only an im- 
mature specimen.” 


Sp. 20. Ev. aurEoua. 

Long. lin. 8; Lat. lin. 44. 

E. aurato-viridis glabra nitida : corpus subiis subtestaceum femoribus 
flavis, tibiis tarsisque roseo-cupreis. 

Caput viride, antennis testaceis, oculisque fuscis. Thorax et elytra 
subtilissime punctulata virescentia auratoque splendore nitentia, 
marginibus posticis abdominis membranaceis. Corpus infra testa- 


* «The superb collection of drawings of Reptilia, made by Dr. Cantor 
whilst in India, is now deposited in the Radcliffe Library at Oxford: it is to 
be hoped the University will publish them.” 


Zoological Society. 351 


ceum viridi eneo colore tinctum. Femora pallidiora tibiis tarsis che- 
lisque roseo-cupreis. Pygidium obscure viride et punctulatum. 
Hab, in India Orientali. 
‘« This beautiful species came from the Burmese territories ; it ap- 
pears to be unique.” 
Mus. Dom. Hope. 


Species Dusiz. 


Sp. 21. Ev. arza, Perty. 

Long. lin. 6; Lat. lin. 43. 

E. brunneo-enea, thorace subtilissimé punctulato elytrisque obsolete 
striatis rugulosis. 

Staturd et magnitudine fere E. Frischii, aliquantulum angustior. 
Tota brunnea eneo-micans. Caput et thorax subtilissime punc- 
tulata. Scutellum disco impresso, LElytra irregularitér punctato- 
striata, rugulosa. 

Hab. in Java. 

**] am in doubt if this insect can be considered as an Luchlora, 

being compared with Anomala Frischii; it may probably belong to 
that genus.” 


Sp. 22. Ev. cicarricosa, Perty. 

Long. 7'"; Lat. lin. 34. 

E. enea elytris castaneis, cicatricoso-punctatis. Caput cupreo-e@neum, 
punctulatum. Thorax eneus densé punctulatus, strid medid levi 
impressd, Scutellum viridi-eneum, punctulatum. Elytra castanea, 
marginulo extremo eneo, substriato-punctata, punctis confluentibus 
cicatricosis. Antenne et trophi picei: subtis cum pedibus «nea. 

Hab. in Brasilia Australi, Prov. 8. Pauli. 

‘“* [ am totally unacquainted with the above insect ; I have given the 
description from the Delectus Animalium Articulatorum, the ento- 
mology of which was written by Professor Perty. I feel no hesi- 
tation in referring the above species to another genus, as I do not 
believe a true Huchlora is ever found in the New World.” 


Sp. 23. Ev. rrroretia, De Haan. 

Long. lin. 7; Lat. lin. 4. 

Punctuée, d’un brun-jaune clair, avec deux bandes longitudinales 
sur la téte, plusieurs autres mélées sur le corselet, et une foule 
de petites taches transversales sur les élytres, noires; dessous du 
corps et pattes tachetés de noir. Java. 

*‘ From the above description it appears probable that [rrorella be- 

longs to the genus Kuchlora.” 


Sp. 24. Eu.? srrigata, Castelneau. 

Long. lin. 74; Lat. lin. 5. 

D’un beau vert métallique, cuivreux, trés brillant; bords latéraux 
du corselet d’un brun-jaundtre métallique, avec un point vert au 
milieu; élytres avec des stries de points enfoncés, serrés, d’un 
brun-jaune clair, a reflets verts métalliques, avec plusieurs 
taches de cette couleur a la base, sur le milieu et a l’extremité ; 
plaque anale jaunatre, avec deux grandes taches d'un vert mé- 
tallique sur les cétés. 

Hab. Coromandel. 


352 Royal Society of Edinburgh. 


“This and the foregoing species are described from a French work 
now in the course of publication, by the Count de Castelneau.” 


Sp. 25. Ev. rrivirrata, Perty. 

Long. lin. 5; Lat. lin. 24. 

Subtis testaceo-metallica, thorace viridi, margine stridque medid 
flavis, elytris testaceo-viridibus. 

Statura omnino E. Frischii, sed satis minor. Subtis testacea, metal- 
lico-nitida, abdomine obscuriore. Caput eneum, subtilissimé punc- 
tulatum, clypeo reflero. Thorax viridi-eneus, nitidus, margine 
laterali lato, vittdque medida flavis. Scutellum viridi-eneum, 
politum. lytra longitudinaliter punctulata, testaceo-viridia. 
Antenne brunnee. Pedes metallico-testacet. 

Hab. in Java. 

In Museo Dom. Perty. 


Sp. 26. Eu. sptenpens. Schonherr. 

Supra glabra, viridi-orichalcea, nitidissima, thorace elytrorumque 

dorso subtiliter parce punctulatis, clypeo reflexo integerrimo. 

Hab. in China. 

In Museo Dom. Schonherr. 

“It is probable that the above species is a Mimela. It is con- 
sidered by Professor Perty to be an Euchlora. I have added Schon- 
herr’s short Latin description; for more ample details consult the 
Appendix to Schonherr’s ‘Synonymia Insectorum,’ tom. i, part 3, 
page 110.” 


Besides the above twenty-six species of Huchlora, there are seve- 
ral other insects which have been comprehended under that name ; 
for instance, EZ. Dalmanni of Schonherr, and Chrysea of Kollar, both 
of which are true Mimele, and allied to M. fastuosa, Fab.; and 
to these may be added various species of Anomala, recorded by Fa- 
bricius, De Jean, and others. The latter writer, in his last catalogue 
of 1837, mentions the names of E. piligera, Japonica, chalcites: as 
he, however, confounds Mimela with Euchlora, little reliance can be 
placed on his authority ; they are, moreover, manuscript names, and 
no names ought to be adopted without published descriptions, I 
may add, that in the Dutch and other collections, about six others 
have fallen under my notice, making in all about thirty species ; 
which number no doubt will be considerably increased the more we 
become acquainted with the Entomology of Oriental India. 


ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH. 
Dec. 16.—Sir Thomas M. Brisbane, Bart. President, in the Chair. 


The first paper of the evening was an account of experiments on 
the development and growth of Salmon, from the exclusion of the 
ovum to the age of two years. By Mr. Shaw, Drumlanrig. This 
communication formed the sequel of a former one read to the Society 
in December 1837, and continued the account of Mr. Shaw’s expe- 


Royal Society of Edinburgh. 353 


riments during the intervening period. These valuable observations 
merit a more ample detail in our pages; meanwhile, however, we 
supply but a few hasty hints. 

In some prefatory remarks, Mr. Shaw met an objection to the 
inferences from his published investigations, proceeding from respect- 
able authority, and which resolved itself into considerations con- 
nected with the small size and artificiality of his experimental ponds. 
Mr. Shaw repelled this by stating that the ponds were made the 
channel of a copious stream; that the body of running water they 
contained was very considerable ; that the supply of the insects, &c. 
which constituted the food of the young fish was abundant; and 
that these little creatures were in as good condition as their con- 
geners in the neighbouring river. 

Mr. Shaw’s former observations led to the conclusion that the 
Parr is nothing else than the proper fry of the regular salmon. In 
his former paper, his experiment was carried thus far :—salmon en- 
gaged in the process of reproduction were caught in a net; a parti- 
cular spot of the running stream was selected; from this spot a 
channel was formed which communicated with a small pool, fit to 
become a temporary spawning bed; into this selected spot the adult 
female salmon was introduced ; by gentle pressure on her sides the 
roe was made to flow freely from her body; this swam down the 
artificial channel, and was deposited in the temporary bed. Precisely 
the process was repeated with the adult male, whose milt followed 
the same course, and settled in the same pool. Portions of the ova 
thus impregnated were removed into the experimental pond No. 1, 
which, as formerly explained, was quite separate from the river, and 
isolated from all accidental contamination: these were carefully 
watched and found to become genuine parr. 

Strong additional circumstances have occurred within the last two 
- years, which have greatly confirmed the inference which naturally 
flows from the above occurrence. One of these is connected with 
the subsequent history of the little fish alluded to as placed in pond 
No. 1. The brood has been watched, and Mr. 8. has found that a 
very few at the close of the first year, and the whole before the end 
of the second, exchanged their well-known primary river livery of 
parr, for the silvery migratory coat of the youngsalmon. With this 
change in appearance, a great change in their habits occurred : the 
so-called parr in the pond were solitary and quiet, and if a neigh. 
bour invaded their habitual retreat, he was speedily expelled from 
the forbidden ground. On assuming the migratory dress, the habits 
of the whole family became much more active, they freely associated 


Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. 4. No. 25. Jan. 1840. 2c 


354 Royal Society of Edinburgh. 


together, and seemed restlessly disposed to escape from the limits of 
their confinement. . 

Another still more confirmatory circumstance is the following. 
It had long been noticed that the young parr of the second year was 
a not less constant attendant upon the adult female salmon when 
depositing her spawn than was her own mate, the milt flowing 
abundantly from his body, and for no other apparent purpose than 
the impregnation of the salmon’s roe,—no female parr in similar 
circumstances ever being detected. This fact led Mr. Shaw to the 
inference, that however different the age of these two fish, yet the 
union could arise from nothing but identity of species; and he there- 
fore subjected to precisely the same experiments as those above de- 
scribed, the roe of the adult female salmon, and the milt of the tiny 
parr. Portions of the spawn thus treated were put into the artifi- 
cial pond No. 2. It proved to be impregnated; the produce during 
the first year having all the appearance of true parr: toward the 
end of the second year they assumed their silvery hue, and in fact 
the young fish in pond No. 2, underwent precisely the same changes 
as those of No. 1. Nor was this a hybrid race; for one of these of 
the second year was again made the subject of experiment with the 
adult female salmon, his milt being brought into contact with her 
roe, and this new progeny appeared identical with those already 
noticed. Specimens were exhibited to the Society of the parent 
adult salmon, male and female, and of some of the young of the 
ponds, killed when they had the regular markings of the parr, and 
afterwards when they had assumed the migratory dress of the young 
salmon. : 

In the conversation which followed, Professor Christison stated 
that, along with Mr. Shaw, he had personally examined and could 
confirm the accuracy of every one of the author’s statements, both 
in the previous communication and the present. Mr. James Wilson 
likewise offered some remarks, insisting particularly upon the fact 
that the specimens before the Society demonstrated that these fish 
had, at one period of their existence, all the genuine characters of 
true parr, and indisputably were the parr of the naturalist and the 
angler, and were as certainly at a subsequent period transformed 
into the young salmon; and Professor Traill closed the discussion 
by avowing, that although from some anatomical details there had 
long existed in his mind difficulties in the way of arriving at the 
same conclusion with the author, yet he could not withstand the 
evidence he had just heard; that he was a convert to Mr. Shaw’s 
opinion, and that he considered his communication as one of the 


Botanical Society of Edinburgh. 355 


most important contributions that had of late years been made to 
Natural History, both in a scientific and commercial point of view. 


BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH, 


This Society met on the evening of the 14th November, in the 
Royal Institution.—Dr. R. K. Greville in the Chair. 

A letter from the Marquis of Normanby was read, stating that 
the Diploma of the Society had been laid before the Queen, and that 
the same had been very graciously received by Her Majesty. A 
letter was also read from Baron Werther, inclosing a communica- 
tion from the King of Prussia, in which His Majesty was graciously 
pleased to acknowledge the receipt of the Society’s Diploma, trans- 
mitted on the occasion of His Majesty’s election as an honorary 
member. 

An account of botanical excursions made from Edinburgh in the 
autumn of 1839, was read by Professor Graham. 

Mr. Forbes read a notice of excursions in the neighbourhood of 
Trieste*, in which he gave a sketch of the Triestine territory, a 
country exceedingly rich in rare and curious plants. The excur- 
sions described were four:—I1st, the immediate neighbourhood of 
the town; 2nd; the salt marshes of Zaule, and the neighbouring hills 
of Istria; 3rd, the Monte Spaccato and the wood of Lipizza, on the 
singular calcareous plain of the Karst; and 4th, Contobello on the 
sea coast, 

Dr. Greville laid on the table a series of specimens of Quercus 
robur, exhibiting an extraordinary range of form. From the singu- 
lar variation exhibited by these specimens in the shape and texture 
of the leaves, and in the length of the peduncles, Dr. Greville was 
of opinion that there is but one species of oak indigenous in Britain. 


ROYAL PHYSICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH. 


Of the communications read this Session to the Physical Society, 
we notice the following :—-Edward Forbes, Esq. exhibited drawings 
and diagrams of the various genera of Ciliograde Meduse inhabiting 
the seas of Britain, with comments on their structure and habits. He 
gave an account of two new species of Alcine—a genus observed this 
summer, for the first time, in the northern hemisphere; also, of a 
new Beroe, discovered near the Isle of May; and concluded with 
some interesting observations on the structure and use of cilia, 
which naturalists have generally supposed are for motion, but which 
Mr. Forbes showed could not be so. 


* See p. 307 of our present Number. 


aE ae 


356 Miscellaneous. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


ON DIFFERENT TISSUES THE WORK OF INSECTS. 


In the ‘Compte Rendu’ of the sitting of the Academy of the 19th 
August of this year, there is an extract from a letter of M. Levasseur, 
who forwarded a piece of a very fine tissue, a kind of cloth made by 
caterpillars, which was found in Moravia. This extract has occa- 
sioned two other communications on similar facts, the one observed 
by Count Saumeray, near Blois; the other by M. Delahaye, libra- 
rian to the city of Amiens. 

Reaumur in the second volume of his Memoirs mentioned the 
caterpillars which make these tissues. They are the species of Moths 
which entomologists have included in the family Yponomeutide, a 
name meant to indicate the habits of these caterpillars, which live con- 
gregated together in vast numbers under a common tent, and which, 
when they remove, weave for themselves galleries or covered ways, 
in order to be sheltered and to escape the too strong light and heat 
of the sun, and at the same time thus preserve themselves from the 
moisture of the atmosphere and the voracity of birds. They advance 
successively upon the different branches of certain trees, which they 
entirely strip of their leaves, leaving upon their track the tapestries 
which defended them; it is under this protecting cloth that each of 
the caterpillars weaves itself a small cocoon about the size of a 
barleycorn. In some cases these cocoons are separated, isolated and 
vertically suspended from the cloth which forms the roof of their tent; 
and in others, all these caterpillars assemble when they are ready to 
undergo their metamorphosis, so that in this case their chrysalises 
and their envelopes form a circular mass of follicles pressed together. 

The species which are most known by their ravages and by the 
large extent of their woven fabrics, which always depends on the 
magnitude of the number of individuals which have made them, are 
those which naturalists have designated under the names of the 
plants which they seem to prefer, and which, with the termination 
which Linnzus appropriated to all moths, have become their specific 
names, such as Evonymella, Padella, Cognatella, Echiella, Sedella, &c., 
according as they feed on the leaves of the spindle tree, the bird- 
cherry, the service-tree, the quince, the whitethorn, the orpine. 

M. Duponchel has described and drawn nine species of this genus 
in vol. vii. of the ‘Nocturnal Lepidoptera of France’ in plates 285 
and 286. 

MM. Audouin, Edwards, and Dumeril, are clearly of opinion that 
the tissues sent by MM. Levasseur and de Saumeray, are the work of 


Miscellaneous. 357 


the caterpillars of the Yponomeutide ; but with regard to that sent 
by M. Delahaye, they agree with him in thinking that it is the pro- 
duct of a number of small spiders of the genus Hpiere of Walckenaer; 
for this tissue is somewhat glutinous and very much finer than that 
of the caterpillars, the threads of the latter not being adhesive like 
those of the spiders.—Compte Rendu, Oct. 28, p. 533. 


STRUCTURE OF THE OVULE IN THE ERICEZ, 


In many works on botany, for instance in Lindley’s ‘ Nat. Syst. of 
Bot.,’ we find in the description of the Hricee the words ‘ radicula hilo 
opposita’. ‘This has evidently arisen from a confusion of hilum and 
chalaza by a restricted consideration of the mature seed, for all 
Ericee which I have hitherto examined present an anatropous ovule 
with simple (?) integument, whence it follows of itself that a radi- 
cula hilo proxima must exist in the ripe seed, as also Kunth has 
correctly stated to be the case in his ‘ Flor. Berol.’ 1838.—Dr. 
ScHLEIDEN in Wiegmann’s Archiv, Part IV. 1839. 


COLOUR OF SALT MARSHES. 


A communication read November 4th at the French Academy of 
Sciences from M. Joli, Professor of Natural History in the College 
of Montpellier, states that having carefully investigated the colora- 
tion of the salt marshes of the department of the Herault, he came 
to the following results :— 

1. The Artemia salina contributes only in a subordinate manner, 
and it may almost be said not at all, to this colouring. 

2, It is owing to infusorial animalcules. 

3. The Hematococcus salinus are only dead infusoria become glo- 
bular. 

4. The Protococcus salinus are the globules which escape from 
their bodies after death. 

Upon the subject of the letter M. Audouin remarked, that being 
in company with M. Dunal in June 1838, he observed in the en- 
virons of Montpellier, in several of the ditches of the salt marshes 
whose waters appeared to be free from colour, Artemia salina of a 
red colour only. The intestinal canal of these little crustacea ex- 
hibited this colour, and it was owing to the matter which it con- 
tained. M. Audouin had previously witnessed a similar phenomenon 
in the Artemie which M. Payen brought under the notice of the 
Academy in 1836. Having put a score of them into fresh water in 
which he had dissolved sea-salt, he had an opportunity for a month 


358 Miscellaneous. 


of observing the matter contained in their intestinal canal, renewed 
without interruption and always turning red, without his ever having 
perceived in the water in which the crustacea lived any trace of co- 
loured substance. Can the red colour which the ingested matter as- 
sumes in the intestinal canal of the little crustacea have instantly 
become developed by the act of digestion? This would be a new 
and very curious fact to verify. M. Audouin expressed a wish that 
M. Joli, who is favourably situated for varying his experiments, 
would apply himself to the solution of this interesting problem.— 
Compte Rendu, Nov. 4. p. 570. 


FALCO ELEONORZ, 


M. Géné has read before the Academy of Sciences at Turin, the 
description of a new species of Falcon, discovered in Sardinia by 
M. de la Marmora, which has been confounded with the Common 
Hobby (F. Subbuteo,) but from which it differs in its much stronger 
form, in the colour of the cere, which is bluish; by the form of the 
cutting edges of the mandible, which are not notched between the 
base and the tooth ; and by the colour of the eggs, which are reddish, 
spotted and blotched with brown.—L’ Institut, 7th November. 


DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF MELIPHAGA. BY M. DUBUS. 


Meliphaga cincta, capite toto, collo, pectoreque nigris ; fasciculo 
postoculari niveo; fascia pectorali et humeris flavis; parapteris, 
tetricibus mediis alarum prioribus et dorso nigris, plumis singu- 
lis flavo marginatis; posterioribus alarum tetricibus mediis albis, 
speculum formantibus; remigibus et rectricibus fusco-nigris, 
pogoniis externis flavo marginatis ; abdomine pallide brunnes- 
centi-cano. 

Hab. New Zealand. 

This species is remarkable from the length of the hairs which 
clothe the base of the bill and occiput at the origin of the nasal 
apertures. These hairs are somewhat stiff and extend over three- 
fourths of the length of the bill, which is slim, slightly curved and 
flat at its base. The wings are rounded; the first primary is very 
short ; the second much shorter than the third, which is nearly equal 
to the fourth; the fifth is the longest of all. The tail is square, with 
feathers terminating in a point. ‘The bill is black and the feet are 
brown. Entire length 7 inch., length of the bill from the suture to 
the apex 10 lin., of the tarsus 1 inch, of the middle digit 8 lin.— 
Bulletin de Acad. Roy. de Bruxelles, Avril 6, 1889. 


Meteorological Observations. 359 


FLANNEL FORMED OF INFUSORIA AND CONFERVE. 

On the 17th of October last, Professor Ehrenberg laid before the 
Academy of Sciences of Berlin, a foot and a half square of natural 
wadding or flannel, consisting of Infusoria and Conferve, which was 
found to the extent of several hundred square feet near Sabor in 
Silesia, after an inundation. We have already had occasion in pre- 
ceding numbers of this Journal, to lay before our readers Professor 
Ehrenberg’s notice respecting the animal and vegetable nature of the 
meteoric paper of 1686,(See Annals, vol. iii. pp. 185 and 320,) and also 
the communication of Ehrenberg and Kersten respecting the natural 
leather of Freiberg, to which the present substance is analogous, but 
far more surprising from its occurrence in such an immense mass. The 
flannel is chiefly formed of unramified branches of Conferva rivularis 
interwoven with fifteen species of Infusoria and some shells of the 
water-flea (Daphnia). Of the Infusoria eleven belong to the family 
of the Baccillarie, and of these six to siliceous-loricated genera; 
several Closterine, &c. Predominating are the Fragiilaria, Navicula 
viridis, and Cryptomonas lenticularis? All the forms are known 
species.— Berichte der Akademie, Oct. 17, 1839. 


METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR NOV., 1839. 

Chiswick.—Nov. 1. Hazy: rain. 2 Rain. 3,4. Foggy: rain. 5. Rain: 
fine. 6. Hazy: rain. 7. Rain. &. Hazy: rain. 9. Fine: drizzly. 10, Hazy: 
rain. 11. Clear. 12,13. Hazy: overcast. 14. Fine: rain. 15. Hazy. 16, 
Overcast : clear and fine at night. 17. Rain. 18. Heavy rain. 19. Fine: a 
large halo round the moon at night. 20. Fine: rain. 21. Stormy and wet. 
22. Overcast: fine. 23. Clear. 24. Rain. 25. Cloudy: rain: almost a hur- 
ricane at night. 26. Clear. 27. Dense fog. 28. Hazy. 29. Heavy rain: 
30. Overcast : heavy showers. 

Boston.—Nov. 1. Stormy. 2. Cloudy: raine.m. 3. Cloudy. 4,5. Rain: 
rain early a.m. 6,7. Cloudy. 8. Cloudy: rainp.m. 9. Cloudy. 10. Cloudy: 
rain A.M.and p.m, 11. Cloudy. 12,13. Foggy. 14. Cloudy: rainer.m. 15, 
Cloudy: raina.m. 16. Fine. 17. Fine: rainp.m. 18, Cloudy: rain early 
A.M. 19, 20. Fine. 21. Cloudy: rain early a.m.: rain p.m. 22. Cloudy. 23. 
Fine. 24. Rain. 25. Cloudy. 26. Cloudy: rain early a.m. 27. Fine: rain 
and snow p.m. 28, Cloudy. 29. Rain: rain early am. 30. Stormy. 

Applegarth Manse, Dumfries-shire.— Nov. 1. Storm of wind with slight showers. 
2. Fair: weather moderated. 3. Fair: fine. 4, Rather moist. 5. Clear and 
cold. 6. Quiet day and cloudy. 7. The same: slight drizzle p.m, &. Cloudy 
and moist. 9. The same: rain a.m. 10. Quiet day: moist atmosphere. 11, 
Calm day: still moist. 12, Showery all day. 13. Mild day throughout: no 
rain. 14. Drizzly and gloomy: atrue Nov.day. 15. Rain all day: heavy p.m. 
16. Showery throughout. 17. Fine day and fair. 18,19. Drizzling day. 20, 
Very fine day: rain y.m. 21. The same: rain a.m. 22. Fine: one shower p.m. 
23. Frosty morning : shower at noon. 24. Rain all day. 25. Showery a.m.: 
cleared up r.m. 26. Cold and frosty morning: shower snow. 27. The same: 
frost increasing: more snow. 28. Freezing all day: snow lying. 29, Storm of 
wind and rain: snow gone. 30. Rain nearly all day. 

Sun 20days. Rain 16 days. Snow 2days. Frost 3 days. 

Wind east 7 days. South-east and south-south-east 5 days. North 1 day. 
North-east and north north-east 4 days. South-east 4 days. South-west and 
south-south-west 7 days. West 1 day. West-south-west 1 day. 

Calm 12 days. Moderate 10 days. Brisk 4 days. Boisterous 2 days. Strong 
breeze 1 day. Stormy 1 day. 


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ANNALS OF NATURAL HISTORY, 


XLI.—On the Structure of the Sete of Funaria hygrometrica. 
By Epwin LankestTER, M.D. 


Tue hygrometrical properties of the Funaria hygrometrica 
have been long known to botanists, but as the movements 
produced in it by its sensibility to moisture are very singular, 
and as I am not aware of the subject having been dwelt upon 
by any botanist, I have been induced to prepare the following 
notice. This moss is one of the most common of the tribe, 
being found abundantly on dry banks and on the soil that 
barely covers the roots of full-grown trees; but it especially 
delights where the ashes of burnt wood cover the soil, and 
thus it may be frequently seen restoring the colour of the 
ground on those little black spots which indicate where the 
gipsy has pitched his tent, or in the woods or by the side of 
the hedges where wood has been burnt. ‘The young thecz 
make their appearance early in the spring, and in the months 
of April or May may be found accompanied by a number of 
dried setz as well as others in all stages of their growth. 
If one of the dried setee be taken in the hand, and its lower 
portion moistened with the finger, the capsule will be seen 
to turn from right to left, making two, three, or even more 
complete revolutions; if now the upper portion be moist- 
ened in like manner, the capsule will turn round more ra- 
pidly in a contrary direction. This phenomenon is exhi- 
bited whichever portion of the seta is first wetted. If both 
ends are moistened at the same time, a tremulous wavering is 
observed without any motion, but in a few seconds the cap- 
sule begins to move in one direction or the other. The di- 
rection in this instance is in some measure determined by the 
quantity of moisture applied, but the upper part seems most 
easily affected, and the motion arising from moistening it is 
much more rapid than from the lower portion. If the cap- 
Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. 4. No. 26, Feb. 1840. 2D 


362 Dr. Lankester on the movements 


sule is held in the fingers the lower end presents the same 
motions. If both ends are held and the middle left free and 
moisture is applied, there is an evident effort made to curl the 
whole stem, but this is not effected. 

On observing these curious phenomena, I was induced to 
submit the setze to an examination by the microscope, and 
their structure explains, in some measure, the nature of the 
motions observed. The entire seta’is composed of an elon- 
gated cellular tissue which is arranged in a spiral manner. 
(Figs. 1, 2.) The tissue is not however continued in the same 
direction through the whole length of the seta, but at about 
two-thirds of its length it begins to straighten, and at length 
in the upper part runs spirally in an opposite direction to that 
of the lower portion, the fibres forming a much more acute 
angle in the upper than the lower part of their course. This 
structure is most apparent in the dried sete. In the young 
state the fibres are quite straight ; as they increase in age they 
become more spiral; and in the green setz, just before the 
capsule is ripened, the spiral fibres with their double direc- 
tion are quite evident. (Fig. 3.) The immediate cause of the 
motions appears to be the absorption of moisture by the elon- 
gated spiral tissue. Whether the moisture admitted into the 
tissue straightens it by the force with which the fluid passes 
along the bent tubes, or whether it arises from the mere dis- 
tension of the external tissue, may be a question. The cap- 
sule turns round in a direction contrary to that of the spiral 
of each end, and after the seta has been moistened and has 
turned round in both directions, its length is greater than it 
was previously. The more rapid movements of the capsule 
when the upper end is wetted is accounted for by the circum- 
stance of the upper end of the seta being more twisted than 
the lower end. It does not however appear that the mere spi- 
ral form of the fibres is the cause of the motion, as this struc- 
ture exists in the green seta, which are entirely insusceptible 
of motion from the application of moisture. Nor is merely the 
dryness of the fibres the cause, as the green sete, though 
thoroughly dried, do not exhibit any movement. But at the 
period of ripening the capsule is found bent towards the sur- 
face of the earth, and although I have not observed it turn- 


of the Sete of Funaria hygrometrica. 363. 


ing round, I think it is probable that during this period a 
further twisting of the whole seta takes place, this direction 
being given by the already spiral form of the fibres, and con- 
stituting the true cause of the motions observed. This is 
rendered more probable by the fact that the spiral form of the 
_ tissue exists even after it has been macerated in water. 


Fig. 1. Fig. 2. Fig. 3. 


_ The subject of the spiral direction so frequently observed in — 
the tissue of plants is one of great interest, and I believe little 
2p 2 . 


364 Mr. J. Hogg on Tentacular Classification of Zoophytes. 


has hitherto been done towards explaining the causes of the 
phenomenon. When the above observations were made I was 
not aware of any instance of a change in the direction of the 
spiral ; but since then, Professor Morren of Liege has pointed 
out to me the occurrence of a double direction in the spire 
formed by the twisting of the tendrils of Bryonia dioica; and 
I have subsequently observed in the tendrils of a species of 
Passiflora a twisting not only in two opposite directions, but 
in alternately different directions for five or six times to the 
end of the spire. 


XLII.—On the Tentacular Classification of Zoophytes. By 
Joun Hoae, Esq., M.A., F.R.S., F.L.S., &c. 


In his able and beautiful work on the ‘ British Zoophytes,’ 
Dr. George Johnston has reviewed most of the classifications 
that have as yet been brought forward for those extremely in- 
teresting animals, which have been generally called Polypes 
(Polypi) by most French naturalists, as well as for their struc- 
tures or habitations, that have received, of late, the common 
appellation of Polyparies (Polyparia) from the same writers. 

In the first place I may remark that three methods of clas- 
sification present themselves to the investigator of this por- 
tion of natural history; first, that which is derived from the 
Polyparies or dwellings of the animals ;—the second is taken 
from the natural organization and forms of the animals alone, 
that is to say, from the Polypes themselves; and the third, 
that method which may be founded on a combination of cer- 
tain characters deduced both from the animals and likewise 
from their dwellings. 

Now, as an example of the first method, in my sketch of 
the ‘ Natural History of the vicinity of Stockton-on-Tees,’ 
which was written in the spring of 1825, but not published 
until the year 1827, I introduced an arrangement of many of 
our native Polyparies, grounded chiefly on the views of our 
own illustrious zoophytologist, the accurate Ellis ; and in order 
that it may be clearly understood, I trust I may be pardoned 
for here subjoining an outline or synopsis of it. 


Mr. J. Hogg on Tentacular Classification of Zoophytes. 365 


POLY PARIA. 
Section I. Simpuicia. 
Family I. Corallinoidea. 
Order I. VeEsicriFERA. 
Genus. Sertularia (of the old authors). 
Order 2. TusBIFERA. 
Genus. 'Tubularia. 
Order 3. CELLIFERA. 
Genera. Cellularia and Flustra. 


Family II. Coralloidea. 
Order 4. PorirEra. 
Genera. Cellepora and Millepora. 
Order 5. STELLIFERA. 
Genus. Madrepora. 


Section II. Composrra. 
Order 6. CorTIcIFERA. 
Genus. Corallina. 


Family III. Creatoidea. 
Order 7. OscuLireRa. 
Genus. Alcyonium, 
Order 8. GELATINIFERA. 
Genera. Spongia and Spongilla. 


It will be obvious to every one acquainted with Ellis’s work 
on Corallines, that the first three orders correspond with, and 
are nearly the same as, the primary divisions of that author ; 
viz. 1. Vesiculated Corallines ; 2. Tubular Corallines ; and 3. 
Celliferous Corallines. And indeed, the above, if considered 
solely in relation to the British Polyparies or the inanimate 
and unorganized habitations of the animals—or as they have 
been aptly termed Polypidoms by Dr. G. J ohnston—may 
perhaps prove to the student as useful an arrangement as any 
other which has hitherto appeared. 

Next, in pursuance of the second method of classification, 
and which most zoologists will at this day coincide with me 
as being the only true foundation for the systematic arrange- 
ment of zoophytes, I here venture to classify them according 
to their tentacles (Tentacula) ; which organs, considering their 
structure, their great use, and functions, I have, for several 
years past, accounted as presenting the best and most natural 


366 Mr. J. Hogg on Tentacular Classification of Zoophytes. 


forms and characters for that purpose. Although Dr. Arthur 
Farre, by separating this class of animals into two divisions— 
the Ciliobrachiate and the Nudibrachiate* Polypi—first pub- 
licly called the attention of the scientific world in his valuable 
paper in the ‘ Philosophical Transactions’ for the year 1837, 
to the importance of the tentacula, which he has named éra- 
chia, with respect to a more correct classification of them. 


Class ZOOPHYTA. 
Sub-Class I. Brnoscuua. 
Tribe Il. Tentaculis armatis. 


Order 1. CrnioTENTACULA. 
Genera. Flustra, Cellularia, Cellepora, Plumatella, &c. 


Sub-Class II. Unoscuna. 
Order 2. NopiTenrTacuta. 
Genera. Hydra, Sertularia, &c. 
Order 3. PINNITENTACULA. 
Genera. Gorgonia, Pennatula, Aleyonium, &c. 
Order 4. GLANDITENTACULA. 
Genus. Coryne. 


Tribe II. Tentaculis nudatis. 
Order 5. PLANITENTACULA. 
Genus. 'Tubularia, &c. 
Order 6. TuBITENTACULA. 
Genera. Actinia, Madrepora, &c. | 
A few observations for the sake of briefly explaining this 
classification will be sufficient. The first subclass compre- 
hends those zoophytes that are endowed with a higher and 
more perfect organization, and possess both a separate mouth 
and a distinct anus, which is signified in the appellation of 
Binoscula. As far as we are at present acquainted with these 
animals, they all have their tentacles armed, or fringed, with 
vibratory cilia. 2 
The second subclass includes the Unosculous Zoophytes, or 
those which possess only a single hole or orifice, serving as 
well for their mouth as their anus: they are by far the most 
numerous. The order 2, Noditentacula, represents such ani- 
* These terms are both somewhat objectionable, as being likely to be 


confounded with Ciliobranchia and Nudibranchia, names previously iu use 
among the French writers. . 


Mr. J. Hogg on Tentacular Classification of Zoophytes. 367 


mals as have their tentacula studded with minute projections, 
knots, or nodules, which are also said to be sometimes fur- 
nished with little bristles or sete; for example, the Hydre 
and the Sertulariade. The order 3 embraces the genera 
Gorgonia, Pennatula, and others, whose animals retain well- 
defined pinnz along their tentacles. But in order 4, we have, 
I believe, as yet discovered only one genus, Coryne: here the 
tentacula are furnished at their tips with small glands. 

The second tribe possess tentacles unarmed, and quite de- 
void of any projections or appendages whatsoever ; in which, 
the order 5, Planitentacula, comprising the Tubularia, exhibit 
perfectly smooth and plain tentacula; and the order 6, Tudi- 
tentacula*, as the Actiniade, have their tentacles hollow, per- 
forated at both extremities, and much resembling tubes or 
siphons. 

I must however beg distinctly to state, that I propose this 

classification merely as an attempted, but by no means as a 
perfect one ; because there may, not improbably, occur other 
variations and forms in the tentacula of even our British zo- 
ophytes with which I am now unacquainted, and which may 
necessarily lead to some modification in one or more of the 
previous orders; but for those of the foreign genera, some 
additional orders will doubtless have to be hereafter insti- 
tuted. 
_ From this systematic arrangement the Corallines and 
Sponges are excluded; because in the absence of all marks of 
any animal organization, and of every distinct animal property 
as yet discoverable in them, I must agree with Doctors Link, 
Miller, and Johnston, and several other distinguished authors, 
in restoring them to the Vegetable kingdom. 


* Some one may perhaps be inclined to find fault not only with the noe 
menclature here used, Zoophyta Ciliotentacula, Tubitentacula, &c., but also 
with founding a classification principally upon the variations and differences 
which are discernible in one set of organs; him I would remind of the Lin- 
nzan arrangement of Insects, where he will notice Insecta Lepidoptera, 
Neuroptera, and several more variations in the ptera or wings alone. And 
I need scarcely add, that this arrangement of the immortal Swede will, in all 
probability, long survive many of the modern systems, which are grounded 
on the more numerous characters afforded by several organs. 


368 Dr. Johnston on the British Annelides. 


XLIII.—WMiscellanea Zoologica. By GroreEe JOHNSTON, 
M.D., Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edin- 
burgh. With Plates X. and XI. 


[Continued from p. 232.] 


Britiso ANNELIDES. 


In the month of June of the present year, Mr. Edward Forbes, 
accompanied by Mr. Goodsir, visited the islands of Orkney 
and Shetland, with a view to the investigation of the marine 
zoology of the northernmost district of Britain*. The An- 
nelides which were collected during this tour, Mr. Forbes, , 
with a liberality Iam most anxious to acknowledge, entrusted 
to my examination; and I am now about to give the result 
of it to the public, in the hope that this may interest such 
naturalists as devote themselves to the study of our native 
Fauna. 

Of the Aphroditacee, there were, in this collection, speci- 
mens of Aphrodita aculeata in a young state; of an Aphro- 
dita nearly allied to the A. hystrix of Savigny; and of my 
Sigalion Boa. The new Aphrodita belongs to the section of 
the genus that is distinguished by having the scales or elytra 
naked or uncovered, and is the first British example of the 
kind. The specimen presented to me is 14 lines in length, 
and 4 in its greatest breadth : the body is elliptical, rather nar- 
rower posteriorly than in front, of a uniform greyish white 
colour, somewhat hairy and hispid on the sides from the va- 
rious bristles which garnish the feet. (Plate X. fig. 1, 2.) The 
scales form a series on each side; they are roundish, smooth, 
thin and flexible, vesicular in the specimen, probably from im- 
mersion in the spirits; there are 15 pairs of them, but the 2 
first pairs and the 3 caudal ones are so small as to be easily 
overlooked. The head (fig. 3.) is entirely concealed under the 
front scales. It is furnished with two proportionably large 
setaceous smooth palpi, approximated at the base, but I was 
not able to detect any antennae. The mouth (fig. 4.) is infe- 
rior, large, circular, puckered, armed with a strong retractile 
proboscis, the orifice of which is encircled with a row of ten- 


* See the Atheneum, No. 618, p. 647. 


Ann. Nat. Hist Nol IN. PUX. 


t. Johnston. ad nat. det SEBaSire, $C. 


Ann. Nat. Hist Nol W..PLXL 


C Johnston, adnat: del® JS Bastre. S- 


British Annelides 


Dr. Johnston on the British Annelides. 369 


tacular papille (fig. 5.), but there is no appearance of jaws. 
There seemed to be 30 feet on each side, but, from the close- 
ness and minuteness of the posterior pairs, the number was, 
not very exactly to be counted: they are biramous, the 
branches widely apart. The dorsal branch (fig. 6.) of every 
alternate foot carries a scale or elytron, and is armed with 
spines, various bristles, and a sort of tangled hair, which par- 
tially covers the scale. It is shorter than the ventral branch, 
obtuse, somewhat sinuated, and contains two spines: the dor- 
sal fascicle of bristles is long, reflected backwards, the bristles 
unequal in length, rather slender, sharp-pointed, smooth, and 
curved: the next fascicle consists of similar bristles but shorter; 
and there is a still lower fascicle of very slender ones. The 
ventral branch (fig. 7.) of the foot is strong, rugose, obtusely 
conoid, covered with minute transparent vesicles, and armed 
with five stout bristles, and with a spine of a yellowish colour. 
The bristles are not extruded from the extremity, but from a 
sort of projection beneath it: the two upper ones are fili- 
form, obtuse, and of a dark brown colour; the two next are 
most protruded, smooth, paler, with a sharp slightly curved 
point; and the under one is short and acutely pointed like a 
dagger. This branch then is armed with no less than four 
different sorts of bristles, calculated both to cut and lacerate 
and to pierce any opposing body; but besides all these there 
is a soft filament (énferior cirrus, fig. 7, a.) that originates from 
a bulb near the base, and is long enough to reach considerably 
beyond the extremity of the foot. This is evidently a feeler, 
with which the worm acquaints itself with the nature of the 
opposing body,—whether an enemy that it needs to repulse 
by the extrusion of its formidable weapons, or a feebler ani- 
mal that it can overcome and make its prey. To assist its 
tactic powers there are besides many tentacular filaments on 
each side, which originate from the dorsal branch of every al- 
ternate foot: these are smooth and subulate, and, except in 
their lesser size, resemble the palpi. The spines (fig. 8.) are 
of a light yellow colour, tapering from a broad base to an ob- 
tuse point, smooth and transparent: the bristles (fig. 9—12.) 
are brown with a bronzed lustre, various in size and strength, 
but all of them quite smooth. The surface of the belly has a 


370 Dr. Johnston on the British Annelides. 


pearly hue, and the skin is thickly covered with minute vesi- 
cular granules (fig 13.), similar to those which are seen on 
certain parts of the foot. The use of these is probably to give 
the worm a firmer hold on the ground, and prevent any retro- 
grade movement from the various evolutions of the feet. In 
examining this complicated structure it is scarcely possible to 
refrain from some expression of surprise. “ In figuris ani- 
mantium (etiam minutarum) quam solers subtilisque de- 
scriptio partium, quamque admirabilis fabrica membrorum ! 

Omnia, enim, que quidem intus inclusa sunt, ita nata atque 

ita locata sunt, ut nihil eorum supervacaneum sit, nihil ad 

vitam detinendam non necessarium *,”’ 

From the remarks of Audouin and Milne-Edwards, it ap- 
pears that Aphrodita hystrix is subject to considerable va- 
riety in size, shape, and in the length of its feet}; and of 
course it would be frivolous to found any distinction of spe- 
cies on these particulars. But an inspection of their figure 
shows Aph. hystrix to be a more hispid worm than the one 
now described ; and there are other characters which seem to 
me sufficient to prove them distinct. I propose therefore to 
call the British species Aph. borealis; and the specific cha- 
racters of the two species may be thus given :— 

Apu. HystTRix, scales naked; proboscis with minute jaws ; 
some bristles of the dorsal foot serrulate at their points ; 
those of the ventral foot somewhat forked ; inferior cirrus 
very short.—Aud. and Milne-Edwards, Litt. de la France, 
i. p. 70. pl. 1. fig. 1—9. 

APH. BOREALIS, scales naked ; proboscis edentulous ; all the 
bristles of the feet smooth ; those of the ventral foot sim- 
ple; inferior cirrus rather long. , 

Puate X. Fig. 1. Aph. borealis of the natural size. 2. The same on the 
ventral aspect. 3. The anterior part magnified. 4. The same seen from 
below. 5. The proboscis laid open. 6. An outline of a foot. 7. The 
ventral branch of a foot more highly magnified. 8. Two spines. 9. Bristles 
of the superior fascicle. 10. A filiform bristle. 11. A bristle from the 
ventral branch. 12. Bristles from the inferior fascicle of the dorsal branch. 
13. A portion of the skin of the belly magnified. 


The Nereides in this collection were, 1. Nereis margarita- 


* Cicero de Nat. Deor. lib. 2. : 
+ Hist. Nat. du Litt. de la France, ii. p. 74. 


Dr. Johnston on the British Annelides. 371 


cea, one of them measuring 7 inches in length, which exceeds 
considerably any specimen I had previously seen ; 2. Nephtys 
margaritacea; 3. Glycera alba or Nereis alba of Muller; 
4, Fragments of a Psamathe, probably the same as P. fusca, 
but greatly larger than my Berwickshire specimens; 5. Phyl- 
lodoce lamelligera; and Mr. Forbes mentioned to me that he 
had also met with 6. Phyllodoce viridis. 

In other families there were specimens of Cirrhatulus me- 
dusa and of Amphitrite alveolata, and several of a marine Lum- 
bricus, but so much injured and broken that I did not attempt 
to ascertain the species. Of the family Lumbricide there was 
another member, which first of all attracted my attention by 
the remarkable development of the anterior bristles that form, 
by their convergence, a large brush apparently terminating 
the head. This worm probably belongs to the genus Tro- 
phonia of Audouin and Milne-Edwards, but I know this ge- 
nus only by the incidental and slight notice taken of it in their 
work on the Annelides errantes ; and have seen no characters 
either of it or of its species. 


TrRopHONIA? GoopsIRII. 
Plate XI. fig. 1—10. 


Desc. Worm from 3 to 4 inches long, as thick as a swan’s 
quill, distinctly annulated, tapering insensibly backwards to 
an obtuse point, subcylindrical, but so flaccid after maceration 
in spirits that the sides almost fall together, of a uniform 
earthy brown colour or blueish underneath, rough with nu- 
merous granulations which are somewhat larger on the dorsal 
than on the plane ventral surface. The cuticle or outer skin 
is easily separable from the body, which then appears of a dull 
leaden blue colour, more or less iridescent. Front armed 
with a brush of long hair-like bristles. Segments between 50 
and 60, homologous, narrower than broad, granulous, some- 
what puckered and thickened on the sides, on which there are 
two distant bundles of non-retractile bristles, but no papillous 
feet. First segment very small, and as it were drawn within 
the second: mouth subterminal, circular, edentulous, and un- 
furnished with organs of any kind. The second segment is 
rather less than the third, and from its anterior edge there 


372 Dr. Johnston on the British Annelides. 


originate, on each side, two brushes of long bristles that pro- 
ject forwards; similar but shorter brushes are borne by the 
third segment, and still shorter by the fourth, but still they 
are long enough to mix with those of the second to form that 
hairy brush which arms the front, and so remarkably charac- 
terizes the worm. The bristles of the other segments are not 
longer than the breadth of the body, and are either laid over 
the back or projected from the sides. These long bristles 
(fig. 6, 7.) all belong to the dorsal brush, which consists of 
seven or eight, unequal in length, setaceous, smooth, slender 
and flexible, and closely annulated like the antenna of a lobster 
or Gammarus ; with them are intermixed a few much shorter 
acicular bristles that are not annulated (fig. 8.): the bristles of 
the ventral brush are short and also of two kinds, —one kind 
setaceous and slender (fig. 10.),—the other stout, straight 
until near the extremity, where it is bent into a sharp cutting 
point: there are four or five of them in each brush (fig. 9.). 
With a good magnifier we also discover that every one of the 
granules of the skin is tipt with a very short rather blunt spine. 
Anus terminal and simple. . 

From its softness and flaccidity, as well as from its struc- 
ture, we may safely conclude that this worm burrows in the 
soil after the manner of the Arenicola, which it in fact re- 
sembles considerably. The brush of hairs on the anterior ex- 
tremity will be in general protruded from the furrow, and is 
probably subservient to the capture of the prey. The hairs 
are, in all our specimens, soiled and infested with sordes and 
conferva-like filaments (fig. 6.), which, though they could not 
be removed with a brush, are undoubtedly extraneous ; for the 
hairs are not equally and alike so disfigured; for while some were 
almost clean, others were greatly loaded with this foulness, 
and none of it was found on the bristles of the lower seg- 
ments. 

Prate XI. Fig. 1. Trophonia Goodsirii, natural size. 2. The anterior 
segments from above; and 3. The same from below, magnified. 4. Three 
segments laid open by an incision through the ventral surface and spread 
out. 5. A portion of the skin highly magnified. .6, One of the front bristles. 
7. A bristle from the dorsal brush of a segment from near the middle of the 


body. 8. Another bristle from the same. 9. A bristle of the ventral brush ; 
aud 10. One of the small ones that are associated with them. 


Dr. Johnston on the British Annelides. 373 


I have dedicated the species to Mr. Forbes’s companion, 
who is already well known to comparative anatomists by his 
ingenious researches into the development and structure of 
the teeth ; and who promises to recommend himself to the 
gratitude of naturalists by an investigation of our native ra- 
diated animals. 

The worm I am next to notice possesses a considerable de- 
gree of interest, for some of the peculiar characters of three 
families meet apparently in it, and it connects them more 
closely than any genus hitherto discovered. The head reminds 
us of the Echiurus,—a genus in the family Lumbricide ; the 
position of the mouth is much the same as in Cirrhatulus, and 
there is some analogy between them in the structure of the 
feet, while the anus resembles that of Nerinne, which, as well 
as Cirrhatulus, belongs to the Ariciade ; but then the form of 
the body and its annular structure is that of Arenicola; and 
notwithstanding some obvious discrepancies, this worm ought 
perhaps to be referred to the family of which Arenicola is the 
type, though there is no genus in it with which the species 
before us can be associated. I therefore propose to create a 
new genus in the family for its reception, to which the name 
Travisia may be given, in commemoration of Mr. Travis, an 
eminent surgeon in Scarborough, and one of those “ learned 
and ingenious friends” to whose correspondence Mr. Pennant 
was much indebted in preparing his British Zoology. 


Family ARENICOLID&. 


1. Arenicola. Mouth terminal; branchiz arbuscular. 
2. Travisia. Mouth ventral ; branchiz a simple filament. 


TRAvVIsIA ForBESII. 
Plate XI. Fig. 11—18. 


In figure this annelide is something between that of the 
earth-worm and the leech : it is elliptical anteriorly, narrower 
and subcylindrical in the posterior half, of a uniform dull 
olive-green colour, smooth to the naked eye, distinctly an- 
nular. Both sides are so alike that it is not easy to say at first 
which is the dorsal and which the ventral; but the anterior 
segments are so far unlike the posterior ones, that, to render 


374: Dr. Johnston on the British Annelides. 


the description more distinct, it may be advisable to consider 
it as divided into an anterior and a caudal half. | 

The anterior half consists of about 14 segments, increasing 
gradually in diameter till near the middle, when they begin 
again to decrease a little. The first or cephalic segment is 
very small, pellucid, triangular, sharp-pointed like a snout, 
and somewhat concave underneath: it is destitute of every 
kind of appendage. The second segment is rather broad, and 
like the succeeding, excepting that it is single and without any 
armature. ‘The other segments consist each of two, or some- 
times three narrow rings; and each of them is furnished, on 
each side, with a dorsal brush of bristles, a long filament, a 
circular pore, and a ventral brush of bristles, similar to the 
dorsal, but smaller. On the secondary or intermediate rings 
there are no bristles, but one, two, or even three pores. The 
mouth is perforated between the third and fourth segments on 
the ventral surface; it is circular, with thickened puckered 
lips, edentulous, and without a proboscis. 

The anterior segments pass by a sort of gradation into the 
caudal ones, though it is not difficult to mark the distinction. 
They are less in diameter, but broader in the opposite direc- 
tion, and thickened on the sides, where there are two short 
obtuse fleshy papillz. From the base, and below the dorsal 
papilla, the soft filament or cirrus originates, which does not 
exceed half the length of the anterior filaments. Close to the 
cirrus there is a brush of bristles, but I could not discover a 
second brush. There are thirteen of these caudal segments 
with a very narrow one between each: the last but one is 
small and unarmed, and the anal one is terminated with six 
soft obtuse papille forming a sort of cupped circle round the 
vent. 

The skin of the worm, under a magnifier, appears to be 
granulated on the dorsal, and punctured on the ventral sur- 
face. The bristles are slender, unequal, slightly curved, aci- 
cular, smooth, and unjointed : they vary in number in the seg- 
ments, but scarcely exceed twenty in any single fascicle, and 
are never fewer than four or five. Those of the dorsal brush 
are longer than those of the ventral, but do not otherwise differ ; 
and both brushes come from the skin, and not from a papil- 


Mr. W. Thompson on the Bottle-nosed Whale. 375 


lous foot. There are no spines. The cirrus or branchial fila- 
ment is soft and filiform. 

It is necessary to observe that this description is drawn up 
from the examination of a single specimen, which had grown 
soft by maceration in the spirits, and was somewhat injured 
by the carriage. Thus the filaments or cirri of several seg- 
ments were broken away; and I ought to mention that there 
were no traces of any on the third, fourth, and fifth segments. 
The specimen was rather more than an inch in length, but, 
from its structure, the worm is obviously capable of being 
elongated to a considerable extent. 

Puate XI. Fig. 11. Travisia Forbesii, of the natural size. 12. The same, 
magnified. 13. The cephalic segments. 14. A side view of a segment 
from near the middle. 15. A view of a caudal segment on the dorsal aspect. 
16, The same on the ventral aspect. 17. The anal segments. 18. A few 
bristles. 


XLIV.—Note on the Occurrence at various times of the Bottle- 
nosed Whale (Hyperoodon Butzkopf, Lacep.) on the coast of 
Ireland ; and on its nearly simultaneous appearance on dif- 
JSerent parts of the British coast in the autumn of 1839. By 
Wixixi1am THompson, Esq., Vice-President of the Natural 
History Society of Belfast. 


In Bell’s ‘ British Quadrupeds, &c. published in 1837, the 
latest work treating of our Cetacea, it is observed, with refer- 
ence to the two individuals of this species recorded by Dale 
and Hunter, that “these are the documents upon which alone 
we have to depend as to the occurrence of the Hyperoodon on 
the British shores.” The works of Jenyns* and Jardinet do 
not contain any reference to other British specimens. More 
recently Mr. Thompson of Hull has, in the Magazine of Na- 
tural History for 1838 (p. 221), described a whale of this spe- 
cies which was stranded near that town in 1837, and whose 
skeleton is preserved in the Hull Literary and Philosophical 
Society. ) 

The first particular record known to me of the occurrence. 


* Manual of British Vertebrate Animals, 1835. 
+ Naturalist’s Library, vol. on Whales, 1837. 


376 Mr. W. Thompson on the Bottle-nosed Whale. 


of the Hyperoodon in Ireland, is contained in the Dublin Phi- 
losophical Journal for March 1825, where Dr. Jacob (now Pro- 
fessor of Anatomy and Physiology in the Royal College of Sur- 
geons in Ireland) very fully and ably describes a specimen 
dissected by him; and at the same time, after a due examina- 
tion of its anatomy, treats of the place the genus should oc- 
cupy among the Cetacea*. The individual which formed the 
subject of the essay “was stranded at Killiney, a few miles 
from Dublin, in the month of September [1824 ?].” Its per- 
fect skeleton is preserved in the museum of the College of 
Surgeons in Dublin. In Mr. Templeton’s Catalogue of Irish 
Vertebrate Animals+, the Hyperoodon is mentioned as “ occa- 
sionally” met with. 

From Dr. Jacob I learned in November last, that within 
twenty-five years he has known four bottle-nosed whales to 
be stranded within a short distance of Dublin—of these, all, 
except the one particularly described by him, were taken at 
Howth, near the entrance of the bay: on one occasion, two of 
them occurred at the same time. 

Karly in the month of August 1836, two Hyperoodons were 
stranded at Dunany Point, near Dundalk. A friend who saw 
the specimens when quite recent, described them to me as 
bottle-nosed whales, and on my sending to him for the pur- 
pose of identification outlines of the individuals figured by 
Dale and Hunter, he stated that the form of Dale’s figure repre- 
sented them well. The larger of these animals was 17 feet in 
length and 143 in girth; the other was somewhat smaller. 
Having been stranded on the property of his relative; Lady 
Bellingham, their heads were fortunately reserved for my 
friend Dr. Bellingham of Dublin. I had lately an opportunity 
of examining both of these specimens, one of which is in the 
Museum of the School of Anatomy, Peter-street ; the other 
in that of the Royal Dublin Society. In the latter collection is 
the head of a second Hyperoodon, which in all probability was 


* The name of Hyperoodon is objected to by Dr. Jacob as expressing what 
the animal does not possess—teeth in the palate, this part having been as 
smooth as the rest of the mouth in the specimen he dissected. Ceto-diodon 
was proposed by Dr. Jacob as a generic name, and Hunteri was applied by 
him to the species. This elaborate memoir though published in, 1825 is un- 
noticed in any of the above-cited works. 

+ Mag. Nat. Hist. vol. i. New Series. 


Mr. W. Thompson on the Bottle-nosed Whale. 377 


obtained on the Irish coast, but I could not ascertain the 
locality whence it had been received: it is similar in size to 
the smaller of the Dundalk specimens, and a very few inches 
less than the larger, the measurements of which are as follow: 


ft. in 
Length from occiput to end of snout ......ese0ee 4 6 
Breadth of cranium,......ssecseccescereeoesescessesers 2 4 
Height Of ditto, ...vscaccessoesccncecersecvenscessonsess 2 0 


The crania of the four Hyperoodons preserved in Dublin are, 
I conceive, referrible to one species, and are similar to those 
represented in Cuvier’s ‘Ossemens Fossiles,’ pl. 225. ed. 1834. 
F. Cuvier’s ‘Histoire Nat. des Cétacés,’ pl. 9; and Bell’s ‘ Brit. 
Quad.’ &c. p. 496. From what has been already published on 
the subject any further remarks on these specimens seem to be 
unnecessary. As supplementary to what appears in Mr. Bell’s 
work, it may be added with reference to a specific character 
about which there has been some obscurity, that in the indi- 
viduals particularly described by Dr. Jacob and Mr. Thomp- 
son of Hull, two teeth were present in the lower jaw; but in 
neither instance were they apparent in the recent animal, but 
were detected only when the gum was cut into.in the prepa- 
ration of the skeleton. 

Having heard on the 20th September last, that a whale had 
been captured at Ballyholme Bay, near Bangor (county Down), 
_ on the 16th, I immediately set out for the place accompanied 

by a scientific friend, Mr. Hyndman. A small portion only 
of the animal then remained on the beach, the head, tail, and 
entire skin with the blubber having been removed. This whale 
was seen on the evening of the 16th Sept. in shallow water 
not far from the shore, and a boat with the small complement 
of three “ hands” gave chase. Fire-arms were discharged at 
it, but these apparently not having any effect, its assailants 
bound a rope to a pick-axe and drove this rude but successful 
substitute for a harpoon into the animal, and about the same 
time managed to throw a loop of rope round its body above 
the tail, and thus with some little difficulty brought it captive 
to the shore. Its length was stated to have been 24 feet, 
the breadth of tail 6, the girth at the thickest part perhaps 
from 18 to 20 feet; the weight was estimated at about 5 tons. 
Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.4. No. 26. Feb. 1840. 25 


378 Mr. W. Thompson on the Botile-nosed Whale. 


The entire upper surface was of a blackish-grey colour, the 
under parts somewhat paler. The stomach is said to have 
contained the remains of shells, and what was described to be 
like the “ feet of fowls’—these I have little doubt were por- 
tions of the arms or feet of cuttle-fish* (Sepiade). Although 
it was late in the evening when this whale was brought ashore, 
its captors at once commenced taking off the blubber, so that 
unfortunately no person who would have felt a scientific in- 
terest in the spectacle, had the opportunity of seeing the ani- 
mal in a perfect state. During the progress of cutting up on 
the day after its death, the body was still warm and smoking. 

To the intelligent farmer whose property this whale became, 
I showed all the figures of Cetacee in Mr. Bell’s work, when 
he at once, from the narrow elongated snout, and head arising 
abruptly from it, identified the specimen with the Hyperoodon, 
objecting only to the snout not being represented so long 
comparatively as in the real animal. ‘To another respectable 
farmer who had got its head, I exhibited these figures, and he 
also immediately singled out the Hyperoodon, considering the 
figure of Dale’s specimen as more characteristic of the general 
form of the animal than that of Hunter’s; the tail of this 
latter however being the better liked. The gape or opening 
of the mouth was remarked to be thus‘“-~\or “ like the letter /” 
—teeth none—the snout shaped like a bottle: it was similarly 
described by our first informant. In a newspaper paragraph 


* Dr. Jacob says of the Hyperoodon he dissected, that the oval cavity 
into which the cesophagus opened “ contained a large quantity of the beaks 
of cuttle-fishes, perhaps two quarts.” Again, in the Catalogue of the Museum 
of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, p.161, there appears—“ Cuttle- 
fish bills found in the stomach of a Balena rostrata.” Apprehending that 
this rather referred to the Hyperoodon than the Balena, I wrote to Dr. Jacob 
respecting it, and learned in reply that the “ cuttle-bills’” so mentioned were 
those taken from the former species by him—this is noticed merely to prevent 
error. In the specimen of Balena rostrata dissected by Dr. Jacob, the re- 
mains of herrings only were detected (Dublin Phil. Journ. November 1825, 
p. 343). The Rev. Dr. Barclay remarks of the Round-headed Porpoise 
(Delphinus melas) that ‘its favourite food seems to be cuttle-fish, of which 
great quantities are generally found in the stomach.”—Bell’s Brit. Quad. 
485. In this species my friend R. Ball, Esq. has likewise observed the 
remains of these cephalopods. In Mr. Hyndman’s possession are the beaks 
of cuttle-fish taken from the stomach of a whale (but of what species I have 
not learned) captured on the coast of Waterford some years ago. The cons 
sumption of these animals by at least two species of our Cetacez would thus 
seem to be considerable. 


Mr. W. Thompson on the Bottle-nosed Whale. 379 


respecting this whale, it was stated that “the blubber pro- 
duced 140 gallons of oil, which were computed to be worth 
above 20/. sterling.” 

In connexion with the occurrence of this Hyperoodon on 
the coast of Down, a novel and highly interesting fact is to 
be recorded—that there evidently was a migration or simulta- 
neous movement of these Cetacee towards the British shores 
during the last autumn, several individuals having within a 
very weeks been obtained in England and Scotland, as well as 
Ireland; but all upon a limited range of coast bounding the 
Irish sea and its vicinity. The first capture known to me is 
that of the imdividual already recorded. In the ‘ Northern 
Whig’ published at Belfast on the 26th Sept. it was stated, 
that—“ A bottle-nosed whale, 20 feet long, was last week left 
on the beach at Flimby near Cockermouth.” In the ‘ Bel- 
fast News-letter’ of Oct. 1, appeared the following notice— 
“* A whale captured near Liverpool.—On Tuesday last, a whale 
was left by the receding tide on East Hoyle bank and speedily 
captured by the fishermen. Its length is 24 feet; its girth 
round the centre of the body 13 feet*.” Although this is not 
called the bottle-nosed species, it seems to mea fair presump- 
tion so to consider the specimen, as its dimensions accord with 
those of the other individuals taken about the same time, and 
of which one was obtained on the coast of the adjacent county 
of Cumberland. In the ‘ Belfast Commercial Chronicle’ of 
Oct. 21, was this paragraph, copied from the Stranraer Ad- 
vertiser :— | 

“ Capture of Whales in Lochryan.—On Tuesday morning 
last, 15th of October+, a very unusual appearance presented 
itself in Kirkcolm. Two monsters of the deep, of the bottle- 


* In connexion with this paragraph it was observed—‘“ On Friday two 
young whales were got in the Clyde, the one on the beach at Roseneath, 
the other above Dumbarton or West Ferry.” Unfortunately no particulars 
are given that would lead to a knowledge of the species. About the same 
time it was mentioned in the newspapers, that a whale proceeding south- 
act had passed close to one of the packets plying between Holyhead and 

ublin. 

+ About four weeks previous to this time, a friend informed me that upon 
two successive days a whale (which he saw) appeared off Ballantrae (Ayr- 
shire), some miles north of Lochryan; on the second day it was about two 
miles to the south of where it was seen on the preceding, and was still ad- 
vancing southwards. 


2 eo 


380 Mr. W. Thompson on the’ Bottle-nosed Whale. 


nosed description of whale, had come round the Scaur and 
embayed themselves; the receding tide swept its treacherous 
waters from under them, and finding themselves grounded, 
their mighty exertions were truly terrific, yet unavailing for 
their extrication. Mr. Robertson of Clendry was the first 
who took notice of the errant strangers, and arming him- 
self and retainers with pitchforks and knives, repaired to 
the scene of action, and commenced the terrible onslaught. 
The dying agonies of the mighty monsters were truly tre- 
mendous. Desperate from the repeated thrusts of the oppo- 
nents, and from their inextricable position, their powerful tails 
were wrought with astonishing effect. The water (of which 
there was yet a quantity around them) was lashed into foam 
and agitation, the crested waves stretching to an incredible 
distance, while high in air the water ascended in one unbroken 
sheet. From their blow-holes the crimsoned water was sent 
in a jet, imposingly grand, to a great height. After similar 
and protracted writhings, with a kind of snort or roar, their 
fury subsided, and in a short time all was still. They were 
towed to the shore amidst the gaze of numerous and wonder- 
stricken spectators, a large number of whom arrived hourly 
to inspect them. A number of men was then employed to cut 
off.the blubber, of which there were thirteen barrels, loading 
five carts. The dimensions of the largest fish was 24 feet 4 
inches in length, and 16 feet at the thickest part in circum- 
ference ; the smaller one about 16 feet long, and thick in pro- 
portion. The tail of the largest was 6} feet in breadth.” 

It is very probable that other paragraphs to the same effect 
may have appeared in the newspapers, especially as those here 
introduced I observed merely on a casual perusal of some of 
those published in a provincial town. It is rarely that such 
notices are of any service to the naturalist, but the very pe- 
culiar form of the head of the animal under consideration 
(whence it has received the name of Bottle-nosed Whale) 
taken in connexion with the dimensions stated, leaves no 
doubt in any instance here quoted that the Hyperoodon is al- 
luded to. Were the size of the individual described about one 
half of what is reported, then would there be a doubt whether 
the captives might not have been the Bottle-nosed Dolphin 


Professor Lindley on New Orchidacee. 881 


(Delphinus Tursio, Fabr.), a much smaller species, having the 
snout prolonged somewhat like that of the Hyperoodon, and 
which is occasionally taken on the British coast. 

The three Hyperoodons recorded to have occurred on the 
English shores appeared singly. The two particularly de- 
scribed by M. Baussard* were taken in company at Honfleur, 
and considered a mother and her young—the one was 23, the 
other 12 feet in length. Of the seven individuals captured on 
the Irish coast, they on two-occasions appeared in pairs ; and 
in one of the three instances here copied from newspapers, 
two of these whales were secured at the same time. It would 
be interesting to know whether those which have so appeared 
were male and female—at all events it would seem that the 
Species is not gregarious. 

So very little of the history of the Hyperoodon is known, 
that it is hoped even the few particulars here recorded may 
prove an acceptable contribution. 


XLV.—New Orchidacez. By Professor LINDLEY. 


Hasenaria (A. § 1. xx. 0.) setifera; foliis ensiformibus ca- 
rinatis erectis apice incurvis setiferis, caule foliato 1—2- 
floro, bracteis inflatis ovario longipedunculato brevioribus, 
petalis bipartitis : lacinia anteriore lineari posterioris lon- 
gitudine, labelli tripartiti laciniis linearibus carnosis in- 
termedia longiore, calcare pendulo clavato pedunculo sub- 
zqualiimMexico, Ad Choapam, inter gramina, Junio, 
Hartweg. : 

A plant allied to H. macroceras, of which it has much the 
habit. 

PLATANTHERA (§ 1. a.) limosa; caule folioso, foliis ensiformi- 
bus erectis, racemo laxo multifloro, bracteis striatis acutis 
floribus brevioribus, . petalis ovatis sepalisque obtusis, 
labello lineari convexo: obtuso- labello filiformi pendulo 
pluries breviore.—Mezico, In paludibus, Anganguco, 
juxta Asoleadero, Sept. Hartweg. 

PLATANTHERA (§ 1. a.) volcanica; caule folioso, foliis ensi- 


* F. Cuv. Hist. de Cet. pp. 242, 249. 


382 Professor Lindley on New Orchidacee. 


formibus erectis trinerviis, spicd elongata cylindracea, 
bracteis herbaceis acuminatissimis floribus longioribus, 
petalis ovatis sepalisque obtusis, labello lanceolato obtuso 
medio subcalloso calcare filiformi triplé breviore, anthera 
subhorizontali, rostello plano 3-lobo.—Mewico: Real del 
Monte, in agro volcanico prope Guajolote, Oct. Hart- 
weg. 
The stem of this plant is from 1 to 3 feet high, or even more, 
Its nearest affinity is with P. leucostachya. The sepals are 
herbaceous ; the petals and lip purple. 


Epipenprum falcatum; caule ramoso carnoso membranis 
laxis imbricatis vaginato, foliis solitariis falcatis canali- 
culatis acutis, fasciculis florum sessilibus: pedunculis 
elongatis, sepalis petalisque lineari-lanceolatis patentis- 
simis, labelli tripartiti basi bituberculati lacinis latera- 
libus oblongis dimidiatis integris intermedia lineari-lan- 
ceolaté paulo longiore.—Mewico; Hacienda de S* Ana 
prope Oaxacam, in rupibus et inter lapides, Maio. Hart- 
weg. 3 

A very fine species with large white flowers. Allied to E. 
nocturnum, but with a totally different habit. 


EpipEnpRvUM (Amphiglottis) cochlidium; foliis distichis ovato- 
oblongis obtusis emarginatisque coriaceis, labelli laciniis 
laceris subzequalibus callo carnoso excavato trilobo zquali 
partim majoribus.—In Peruvia Mathews (in hb. Hooker, 
1868.). Flores verisimiliter flavi. 


EpipenprRuM (Amphiglottis) ellipticum (Graham) 8. flavum. 
Adest varietas “ floribus pulchré flavis” insignis, caule 
tripedali, in herb. Mart. in Brasilie campis editis Itaco- 
lumi, prov. Min. Ger. lecta; nota nulla a varietate rosea 
quantim video distinguenda. 


Eprpenprum (Amphiglottis) Martianum ; foliis distichis an- 
gustis lanceolatis, caule apice ramoso squamis concavis 
obtusiusculis vaginato, racemis corymbosis, petalis linea- 
ribus obovatis obtusis sepalis multo angustioribus, la- 
bello cordato subrepando basi bituberculato axi elevata.— 
In Brasilie campestribus ad Villam Ricam, prov. Min. 
Ger. Martius. Caulis 11—2-pedalis. Flores pallide vi- 


Professor Lindley on New Orchidacez. 383 


rides, extis margine et dorso punctis rubris. Labellum 
convexum. J. fuscato affine. 


Epiprenprum (Amphiglottis) setiferum ; foliis distichis lan- 
ceolatis acutis, caule simplici squamis lineari-lanceolatis 
acuminatis sub floribus foliaceis vaginato, racemo cernuo, 
bracteis longissimis setaceis, petalis linearibus obovatis 
obtusis sepalis angustioribus, labello cordato integerrimo 
reticulato acuto basi trituberculato.—In Brasilia, Gomes; 
prov. Min. Ger. Martius. 


OrnitHocEepHALus Myrticola ; racemo pendulo hispido, se- 
palis lateralibus petalisque rotundatis integerrimis reflexis 
ciliatis, labello cordato-lanceolato acuminato canaliculato 
callis baseos marginantibus distinctis integerrimis.—Citri 
odorem spirat. In myrtaceis Brasilie, prope Bom Jesus 
de Bananal, Maio, Descourtilz. 

A very curious plant with short pendulous racemes of small 
white flowers. It has quite the habit of Oncidium iridifolium. 


ORNITHOCEPHALUS grandiflorus; racemo erectostrictoglabro, 
bracteis oblongis obtusis herbaceis, petalis labelloque cym- 
biformi saccato denticulatis: basi crista biloba transversa 
carnosa erosa aucto, dinandrio marginato denticulato.— 
In Brasiie montibus Organ dictis, Gardner, 633. 

A very fine species with large yellow flowers. The leaves 
are oblong, obtuse, obscurely veined, and apparently much 
thinner than is usual in this genus. 


ORNITHOCEPHALUS apiculatus; foliis racemo erecto denso 
multifloro multd brevioribus, petalis oblongis dentatis, 
labello ovato concavo basi sagittato integerrimo apiculo 
membranaceo acuto.—In Peruvia, Pavon. 

A very small species, only 2 or 3 inches high, with flowers 
apparently deep yellow. 


ORNITHOCEPHALUS ciliatus; sepalis petalisque latioribus 
membranaceis rotundatis reflexis ciliato-fimbriatis, la- 
bello carnoso cordato canaliculato acuminato apice dila- 
tato obtuso membranaceo, rachi hispida.—In Demerara, 
Loddiges. 3 

This species is nearly related to O. Myrticola, from which it 


384 Professor Lindley on New Orchidacee. 


differs in its fringed petals, and in the dilated rounded mem- 
branous apex of its fleshy lip. 


ORNITHOCEPHALUS inflewus; sepalis acutissimis erectis ca- 
rinatis, petalis rotundatis serrulatis, labello oblongo acuto 
concavo apice inflexo: margine baseos utrinque calloso.— 
Mewxico, Hartweg. — 


CaTasetuM laminatum ; labello saccato apiculato basi fim- 
briato: axi lamella unica alta basi biloba instructo, co- 
lumna cirrhata.—Mezico, Hartweg. 

A very fine species, remarkable for a deep plate running 
along the labellum, from base to apex. 


Dicu#a squarrosa; foliis linearibus squarroso-recurvis, flo- 
ribus subterminalibus, labello cymbiformi sessili apiculato 
columna glabra anticé unidentata.— Mexico, Hartweg. 

Flowers large for the genus, apparently white. 


ARPOPHYLLUM spicatum (Llave) ; folio carinato arcuato, pe- 
dunculo spatha breviore.—Mezico, Hartweg. 

Flowers deep purple, arranged in a spike about 3 inches 
long. | 
ARPOPHYLLUM giganteum (Hartweg in litt.) ; folio ensiformi 

plano, pedunculo spathaé multo longiore.—Mewico, Hart- 
weg. 

This fine plant must be at least 3 feet high ; its flowers are 
pale lilac, and disposed in a spike from 6 to 7 inches long. 


CyRTOCHILUM graminifolium; foliis lineari-ensiformibus acu- 
tissimis erectis racemo subpaniculato brevioribus, labello 
obovato integerrimo basi 5-lamellato, columnz alis parvis 
rotundatis.— Mexico, Hartweg. 

This species is much like C. maculatum, but differs in the 
form of its lip, its very narrow leaves, and smaller flowers. 


SPIRANTHES ramentacea; aphylla? vaginis caulis laxis mem- 
branaceis acuminatis, labelli limbo concavo ovato inte- 
gerrimo obtuso, ungue et columna in medio pubescenti- 
bus.—Mezico; Prope Santa Barbara, regione calida, 
Aprili, Hartweg. 


This very curious species has altogether the appearance of 
Altensteinia or of Apaturia. 


Mr. W. S. MacLeay’s Note on the Annelida. 385° 


Epipactis americana ; foliis inferioribus ovalibus superiori- 

_ bus lanceolatis, bracteis floribus longioribus, racemo laxo 

sursim pubescente, hypochilio medio muricato, epichilio 

ovato acumine lato membranaceo.—Mezico; Juxta Rio 

del Salto cataractas, locis umbrosis, Aprili, Hartweg ; 
Nova Albion, Douglas ; Texas, Drummond. 

An American Epipactis is a great novelty ; this appears to 

be the only species found as yet on that continent. It ranges 

from the Columbia river as far as Mexico. 


XLVI.—Note on the Annelida. By W. S. MacLeay, M.A., 
F.L.S., &c. * 


THESE animals differ from true Annulosa in being herma- 
phrodite, and in general red-blooded+. They are soft vermi- 
form animals of an articulated structure, and which form the 
immediate connexion between such Vertebrata as Amphioxus 
and Myxine, and such Annulosa as Porocephalus and other 
white-blooded Vermes, which have the sexes distinct. 

I divide the Annelida as follows: 


ANNELIDA. 


Norma Grovp. 
POLYPODA Pp RaEEDING. Animals free, having a distinct 
Marine paitennls, head provided with either 
having their body J eyes or antenne or both. 
seavide d art P rtd } SERPULIN A. Animals sedentary, and having 


stinct feet: L no head, provided with eyes 
or antenne, 


ABERRANT GROUP. 

(LUMBRICINA. Animals without eyes or an- 
tennz. Body externally seti- 
gerous for locomotion. Arti- 
culation distinct. 

NEMERTINA. Animals aquatic, without eyes 


‘APODA. or antennz. Body not ex- 
Body without feet < ternally setigerous. Articu- 
or a distinct head. lation indistinct. 


HIRUDINA. Animals provided generally 
with eyes but not with an- 
tennz. Body not externally 
setigerous. Articulation di- 

ae stinct. 


* From ‘The Silurian System,’ by R. I. Murchison, Esq., p. 699. 
+ Milne Edwards is said in the public journals to have discovered that 


386 ‘Mr. W. S. MacLeay on the Annelida. 


Nereipina, MacLeay. 


These are the most perfect in their structure of all Annelida, 
as they possess numerous organs and have a distinct head, 
which is generally provided with eyes and antenne. Some of 
them, after the manner of Serpulina, inhabit tubes, which 
tubes are membranaceous, and formed by a transudation from 
their body ; but in general the Nereidina are naked, and they 
are always agile animals freely moving about in search of their 
prey. Aristotle calls them, “ Zxoromevdpar Oadrdoova ra- 
patrAnotar TO elder Tals yepoatas,” (Lib. il. c. 121.) ; and it 
is true that they are wonderfully like Centipedes. The fossil 
impressions in the. Llampeter Rocks, are too indistinct to 
enable us to determine very accurately the genera and species 
of Nereidina which there occur, more particularly as the ge- 
neric characters in this group depend on such minute distinc- 
tions as are afforded by a study of the mouth, antennz and 
eyes. I shall therefore consider the impressions fig. 1. and 
fig. 2. Murchison, Sil. Sys. to belong to the 

Genus NEREITES. A genus which comes very near to 

Savigny’s genus Lycoris in its external appearance, 
only the segments of the body are here perhaps more — 
slender and in proportion longer than usual. 

Spec. 1. Nereites Cambrensis. Murch. n. s. 

The body of this species seems to have consisted of about 
120 segments. The feet were half the length of aseg- 
ment of the body, and the cirri of the feet were longer 
than such segment.—7d. Pl. 27. f. 1. 

Spec. 2. Nereites Sedgwickit. Murch. n. s. 

Body much more slender than that of N. Cambrensis, and. 
apparently consisting of a greater number of segments. 
These segments have the feet attached to them appa- 
rently inconspicuous, although the cirri are very di- 
stinct. Pl. 27. f. 2. 

N.B. The impression now under consideration was clearly 


some Annelida are not provided with red blood; but the distinguished Sa- 
vigny stated the same fact so long ago as the year 1823, for in his Systeme 
des Annelides he places Clepsine among his Hirudinées. Nay, even Cuvier, 
who first distinctly pointed out the group under the name of vers @ sang 
rouge, has said that their blood is only generally red. Although herma- 
phrodites, many of them require a reciprocal coitus. 


Mr. W. S. MacLeay on the Annelida. 387 


that of an animal, as will appear by the figure, where the worm 
has evidently, before coiling, with difficulty trailed itself along 
in the mud, in a way, which any one accustomed to collect 
these Annelida will at once recognise. 

Genus MYRIANITES. 

Body linear, very narrow, and formed of very numerous 
segments with indistinct feet and short cirri. 

Spec. 1. Myrianites MacLeati. Murch. n. s.—PIl. 27. f. 3. 

N.B. The softness of the texture of the foregoing three 
species of Annelida and the perfection of the impression in 
fig. 1. make it very remarkable, that if articulated feet existed 
in the Trilobites, some vestiges of them, even although mem- 
branaceous, should not have come down to us more perfect 
than those figured by Goldfuss. (See Ann. Scienc. Nat. vol. xv. 
Pl. 2. f. 8. and pp. 665, 667 ante.) 


SERPULINA, MacLeay. 


These are sedentary animals without eyes or antennz. They 
live in tubes which are either a natural transudation of their 
body, and are either membranaceous or calcareous, or their 
tubes are semifactitious, being then composed of an aggluti- 
nation of particles of sand or other small substances. The cal- 
careous nature of the tube in some Serpulina is very advan- 
tageous for their preservation, and has thus enabled us to see 
that such animals occurred frequently in the Upper Silurian 
Rocks. 

Genus SERPULITES. 

Spec. 1. Serpulites longissimus. Murch. n. s. Pl. 5. f. 1. 

Very long, hardly diminishing im diameter, compressed, 
smooth, slightly tortuous, composed of numerous thin 
layers of shell containing much animal matter. 

No part of this extraordinary fossil has been observed at- 
tached to other bodies; it forms large curves, sometimes al- 
most circles, occasionally even a foot in diameter. The tube 
is somuch compressed that its sides nearly touch, and that this 
is the effect of pressure is shown by the form it has assumed. 
Those parts which were nearly perpendicular to the direction 
of the compressing force have resisted pressure most power- 
fully, and fractures have taken place in longitudinal lines near 


388 Prof. De Brignoli and Prof. Morren on the 


such parts. The quantity of animal matter in the lamin 
gives them an opalescent appearance. In structure, this fossil 
resembles the Serpula compressa of Min. Con., tab. 598. f. 3; 
but it does not diminish so rapidly. Width } an inch. 


NemeErRTINA, MacLeay. 


The Nemertina are white-blooded worms like some of the 
Hirudina or Leeches. In this group, however, the character 
of articulation becomes most indistinct. Rudolfi has placed 
Gordius along with Nemertes (Ent. Syst. 572.); and if Gor- 
dius goes into the group of Nemertina, it is possible that Fi- 
laria may also. Nemertes Borlasii, is a long black sea-worm, 
which is said to suck Testaceous Mollusca. The articulations 
of its body become visible when it is contracted. If the long 
vermiform impression in the Cambrian Rocks of Llampeter, 
Murch. Sil. Syst. Pl. 27. f. 4. belong to organic substances, 
it can only be referred to some animal between Gordius and 
Nemertes, although probably nearer the former genus. As 
yet, however, Gordii are only known to occur in fresh water, 
whereas this fossil production, if it belong to the animal king- 
dom, was evidently, like Nemertes, a native of the sea. 

Genus NEMERTITES? 

Animal marine, with the linear body, of a Gordius or Fi- 
laria. 

Spec. 1. Nemertites Ollivantit. Murch. n.s. Pl. 27. f. 4. 


re 
ae, 


XLVII.—WNotes on the Excitability and Movement of the Leaves 
in the Species of Oxalis. By Professor J. De Brignoui 
DE BrunuorrF of Modena, and Prof. Morren of Liége. 


In the Bulletin of the Royal Academy of Brussels for last 
July, an extract is given by M. Morren, of a letter received by 
him from Prof. de Brignoli of Modena, of the 23rd of May 
1839, containing some interesting details relative to the exci- 
tability and spontaneous movement of the leaves of Ovalis 
stricta, which had been accidentally observed by two of his 
pupils, one of whom had casually, whilst engaged in conver- 
sation, been striking them with a small cane among the plants 
that grew wild under the trees in the public garden. 


excitability and movement of the Leaves of Oxalis. 389 


“ Aftera little while,” he observes, “they perceived that one of 
these plants had changed the position of its leaves, and they at 
once suspected that it was an irritable plant which I had never 
mentioned in my lectures. I was in the botanic garden, which 
is contiguous to the public garden, at the time ; they came and 
told me of this fact, which was not less new to me than to them. 
I went with them to the spot, and found that the plant was 
the Ovxalis stricta. This is not mentioned in the list of spe- 
cies designated by authors as sensitive. I immediately repeated 
the experiment upon other individuals and obtained the same 
effect ; but i¢ must be teased a long while, as its movements are 
much slower than those of the Mimosa pigra. I suspect that 
if plants were observed with the requisite care, the pheenome- 
non of irritability would not be so rare as is supposed. The 
irritability of the Oxalis sensitiva is already known. I have 
made experiments upon all those cultivated in our botanic 
garden, but I did not succeed in causing the position of the 
leaves to change. I believe that heat is the principal agent 
in this phenomenon, because even the Hedysarum gyrans 
slackens in its movements in autumn and during winter in 
hothouses. I should think that all the species of Oxalis are 
susceptible of contraction when irritated ; but as most of them 
dre natives of the Cape of Good Hope, it is possible that they 
show no effects from concussion in our climate, whose greatest 
heat never equals that of Africa. In the environs of Modena 
we have neither the Ovalis acetosella nor Owxalis corniculata, 
I have not therefore been able to make experiments upon 
them.” : 

M. Morren in addition gives an account of some new ob- 
servations which this communication had led him to make, 
and which proved to be in every respect confirmatory of the 
views of M. De Brignoli. 

“The Ovalis sensitiva mentioned here by M. De Brignoli, 
and originally from China, was indeed named by M. DeCan- 
dolle from this fact Blopuytum (Biophytum sensitivum) ; that 
is to say, plant alive; its leaves are pinnate like those of Sen- 
sitive plants. The East Indian Averrhoa bilimbi is another 
of the Ovalidee in which the leaves are likewise excitable and 
mobile. The Averrhoa carambola has its petiolés mobile, as 


390 Prof. De Brignoli and Prof. Morren on the 


Bruce has shown*. These approximations prove that the 
movement of the leaves of the true Oxalides may in fact ex- 
tend to a multitude of species, since this genus is one of the 
most numerous tf. | 

During the great heats of the month of June, when the 
thermometer was at + 35° (R.) in the sun, the excitability and 
movement of the leaves were very evident in our three indi- 
genous species of Oxalis: Owalis acetosella, Oxalis stricta, and 
Ozxalis corniculata. When the sun darts his rays in the mid- 
dle of the day directly on the leaves of these plants, their three 
obcordate leaflets are level, horizontal, and so placed that the 
margins which are directed towards the point of the heart, or 
towards the very short partial petiole, nearly touch one an- 
other ; so that then there is, so to say, no space between the 
leaflets. This is the position of repose. Now if we strike the 
_common petiole with light but repeated blows, or if we agi- 
tate by the same means the entire plant, we see, after the space 
of a minute,—less if it be very hot, more if it be cool,—three 
phzenomena take place. 

1. The leaflets fold themselves up along their midrib just 
like the moveable limb of the Dionea muscipula, in such a 
manner that their two halves approach each other by their 
upper surface ; the movement therefore in this case is from 
below upwards, and it is a folding together. 

2. Each lobe of the leaflet bends inwards, so that outwardly 
and on its lower surface it presents a convexity more or less 
decided. ‘This is a movement of incurvation. 

3. Each partial petiole, although very short, bends itself 
from above downwards, so as to cause the leaflets to hang 
downwards, which then nearly touch each other by their 


* Phil. Trans. vol. Ixxv. p. 356. An Account of the sensitive qualities of 
the tree Averrhoa carambola. 

+ M. Virey, in a paper entitled, ‘“‘ Quelques considérations nouvelles sur 
l’acidité dans les plantes irritables,” (Journal de Pharmacie, Paris, 1839, 
No. V. 25e année, Mai, p. 289,) has fallen into three mistakes in what he says 
of the irritability of the Biophytum and of the Averrhoe. In the first place 
he confounds the two genera in making Biophyta of the Averrhoa bilimbi 
and Averrhoa carambola, which is not the case. Inthe next place, the Ox- 
alis sensitiva being the same plant as the Biophytum sensitivum of DeCan- 
dolle, it is by no means the stamina which are excitable, but the leaves, as 
all authors say. Lastly, M. Virey has taken the Ovxalis sensitiva for a plant 
distinct from the Biophytum. 


excitability and movement of the Leaves of Oxalis. 391 


lower surface around the common petiole which forms the 
axis. This last movement is similar to that which takes place 
in the evening at the time of the sleep of the plant, and which 
has caused these leaves to be called dependent ( folia depen- 
dentia). 

Of our three indigenous species, stricta and corniculata 
showed me these movements with the highest degree of energy, 
Oxalis acetosella has them less strong, but perhaps may have 
them as evidently when in flower, a time at which I have not 
observed it. 

Every kind of exciting action provokes the same changes, 
as the wind, and especially a slight compression of the mid- 
dle of the leaf, or of the place where the three partial petioles 
meet, between the thumb and fore finger. 

In the botanic garden of the University of Liége I also 
observed two species with three folioles: Owalis purpu- 
rea (W.), and Ovalis carnosa (Mol.). The first, when placed 
in a hothouse, showed the phenomena of excitability in the 
highest degree. The three folioles, without considerably bend- 
ing back their lobes by the movement of incurvation already 
mentioned, curved downwards so as to touch one another two 
and two by the half of their limb, by placing their inferior sur- 
face one against the other. 

Oxalis carnosa is more sluggish. The old leaves were mo- 
tionless ; the young ones, especially those which clothe the 
upper part of the stalk, exhibit nevertheless the same excita- 
bility, but the movement of incurvation is also less evident 
in it. 

In a sixth trifoliate species, Owalis tortuosa, the leaflets 
were no longer entire enough to enable me to ascertain if it 
were equally excitable. 

Oxalis Deppei*, farnished with four leaflets, evinces an ex- 
citability much more decided than the other species mentioned 


* The Oxalis Deppeit brought from Mexico to England in 1827, and 
_ figured by Mr. Loddiges in his ‘ Botanical Cabinet,’ No. 1500, is the same 
species as that which has been described and figured by our learned col- 
league M. Lejeune in the Bulletin of the Academy, vol. ii. p. 334, 1835, by 
the name of Oxalis zonata. Known throughout England by its older name, 
I have thought it right to continue it. It is not from the Cape of Good Hope, 
but from Mexico. 


392 Prof. De Brignoli and Prof. Morren’on the 


above. In its ordinary state, the leaflets, all quite open, quite 
flat, spreading out upon the same plane, nearly touch at 
their margins, beginning from the reddish zone, which then 
seems to form a continuous circle on a deeply divided leaf. But 
if you have just given the petiole some gentle fillips, in a 
quarter or half a minute, when the sun shines upon the plant, 
you see the leaflets fold up along their midrib, from the base 
to the apex, then the two lobes curve inwards, and lastly the 
partial petiole bend from above downwards, so as to cause the 
leaflets to hang down. ‘Two or three minutes after the fillips 
the plant seems to be asleep. 

A leaf teratologically developed with five leaflets exhibited 
the same fact. It is unquestionably the species in which these 
movements can be best observed. 

These were the only species which were at my command. 
In all of them the movement takes place without a shock, 
without agitation, but little by little, insensibly; it can, 
however, be ascertained all the better, as between a leaf the 
leaflets of which are horizontal, and another where they are 
vertical, the difference at once strikes the eye. 

Our indigenous species are too small for observing the or- 
gans of this mobility well, but Oxalis Deppei is well calculated 
for observation and anatomy. 

As in all plants moveable from excitation, the organs of mo- 
tion reside in the apparatus itself which moves. Now here 
the apparatus consists of: 1. The blade itself of the leaf, an 
organ of incurvation; 2. The large midrib; 3. The partial 
petiole ; the former being an organ for folding back, the latter 
an organ of incurvation. 

Now the blade of the leaf is composed, above, of a cuticle 
with pinenchymatous cells, that is to say tabular-shaped (Mey- 
en); beneath, of a cuticle with merenchymatous cells, swollen 
up, like bladders, with numerous small linear stomata be- 
tween all the raised cells, so that one amongst them is often 
surrounded by six stomata; in the middle by a double dia- 
chyma, whose upper plane is formed of prismatic or ovoidal 
cells placed perpendicularly, and of such a size that upon the 
length of a single tabuliform cell of the upper cuticle (derme) 
there are six utriculi of the diachyma. The plane of the dia- 


excitability and movement of the Leaves of Oxalis. 393 


chyma is formed of ovoidal cells, placed transversely, and of 
such a development that two of them are equal in diameter 
to a merenchymatous cell of the inferior cuticle which is 
equal to three or four fifths of a tabular cell of the superior 
cuticle. 

It follows from this structure that the cells of the infe- 
rior mesophyllum are double the size of those of the upper 
mesophyllum. The diachyma is moreover very rich in chlo- 
rophyllum and in round clusters of crystals, occupying the 
axis of the cells. 

It seems to me evident that analogy with the other plants 
which are moveable by excitation, should lead us to place 
the cause of the incurvation of the blade in the inferior meso- 
phyllum, the cells of which by turgescence elongate the in- 
ferior pagina of the leaf, and thus cause the upper pagina or 
the mesopbyllum to fold upwards. The cellular tissue is here 
also the essential organ of movement, and each cell a body 
turgescent by excitability. 

The midrib is very large in this plant; it is three or four 
times larger than the secondary nerves, and it extends 
straight and rigid from the basis of the leaflet to its apex. It 
is transparent and juicy. This nerve reminded me of the 
structure which I discovered in former dissections in the 
Dionea muscipula. 

Its cuticle is formed of little cells as high as they are wide, 
nearly cubical, with very strong parietes. Four or five cor- 
respond in width to the diameter of a single infrajacent cell. 
Such a structure itself enables this cuticle to follow all the di- 
latations that its interior mass can undergo. Direetly within. 
this cuticle there occurs a cellular plane greatly developed, 
formed of large cells, irregularly merenchymatous, with 
strong parietes, and leaving between them passages, the 
section of which is a triangle. There is little chromule, but 
intracellular fluid in abundance. Each cell is the double 
of those of a more interior cellular plane, and the quadruple or 
the quintuple of those of the external cuticle. This plane of 
great cells has them four or five in a row. Then come towards 
the upper part of the midrib some chromuliferous cells, which 
immediately surround a channeled plane of vessels, a channel, 

Ann. Nat, Hist. Vol. 4. No. 26. Feb, 1840. 2K 


394 Prof. De Brignoli and Prof. Morren on the 


the hollow of which is directed upwards, and which is filled 
with little cells and sap vessels. 

This structure reminds us of that of the petiole of the Mi- 
mosa pudica. The distention of the great cells of the lower 
plane of the midrib must force the two half blades of the leaf 
to approach each other; and this enlargement, produced by 
excitability and allowed by the intercellular passages, thus 
becomes the proximate cause of the folding up of the two lobes 
of the leaflet of Oxalis Deppei all along the nervure. There is 
the same mechanism and a very analogous structure in the 
Dionea muscipula. 

There is no pulvinus at the base of the leaflets of the Oxalis 
as in the Mimose, but there is a peculiar organization in this 
part which answers the purpose of this organ. If we observe 
attentively how the leaflet is articulated to the petiole on the 
under side, we find that the midrib terminates in a crescent, 
the concave of which faces the petiole. The petiole in its turn 
ends in another crescent, the concave of which faces the leaflet ; 
so that the partial petiole, which is so short as not to exceed 
a millimetre and a half, is terminated by two opposite cre- 
scent-shaped articulations, the convexities of which face each 
other. Thus much for the under part of the leaf. 

As for the upper part, the two margins of the leaflet which 
converge at the base of the leaflet to form the point of the 
heart, become imperceptibly thicker and unite to form a kind 
of crescent-shaped bridle, whose concave is turned towards 
the leaflet. 'The common petiole receives in its turn the par- 
tial petiole by a crescent-shaped articulation, but which, in 
this instance, has its concave turned towards the leaflet, that 
is to say, it is a crescent parallel to the first. Between them 
spreads a red cuticle, which is strongly plaited crosswise. 

The transverse section of this organ gives that of a depressed 
cylinder formed of a strongly resisting cuticle, consisting of 
ovoidal cells lying flatwise, the parietes of which are of the 
thickest. Then comes a fully developed layer of cellular tis- 
sue with cells plainly merenchymatous, forming at least a 
dozen rows. Each cell has a central mass of chromule. There 
are fewer rows of cells (from 8 to 9) towards the upper part 
of the partial petiole. In the centre of this, but a little higher 


excitability and movement of the Leaves of Oxalis. 395 


than the geometric centre, are the air vessels (trachez) below, 
and the sap vessels above, surrounded by smaller and more 
~ fully coloured cells. 

This organization is fundamentally that of the pulvinus of 
Mimosa pudica. When the merenchymatous cells of the cor- 
tical part of the lower zone are distended or turgescent, the 
leaflets are horizontal; when their turgescence stops and that 
of the cells of the upper zone predominates, the leaflets droop, 
as in the natural sleep of this Oxalis, and as takes place after 
it has been subjected to disturbance. 

At any rate, the excitability of the cellular planes and of each 
cell in particular, and the distention which is the manifestation 
of it, must be admitted to account for the different positions 
which the leaves of the Owalis take when they are struck. 

The movement of the leaves of the Ovalis, although slower 
than that of the sensitive plants, is also not on that account less 
remarkable ; it is even so much the more interesting to us, as, 
taking place in our indigenous plants, we can the better ob- 
serve it; the physiological study of our national species hence 
obtains a new attraction, and the discovery of M. De Brignoli 
and his pupils has led in its turn to the discovery of an ana- 
logy of structure between the leaves of the Oxalideze and those 
of the Mimosz; an analogy which could hardly have been 
expected, but which is fully proved by direct observation. 

The moveableness of Ovalis is the more singular, as M. De 
Candolle has not been able to modify the sleep of these plants, 
either by means of darkness or light, whence he concluded that 
the movements of sleep and awakening were connected with 
a periodical disposition of motion inherent in the plant*. We 
_ see, however, that a simple blow makes the leaflets when awake 
take the posture of sleeping leaflets. 

__ _M. Virey, in his ‘ Considérations nouvelles sur l’acidité dans 
les plantes irritables +,’ has made evident by the recapitulation 
of the species in which the movement of any organ has been 
observed, that most of them were acid; this is indeed a cu- 
rious analogy to demonstrate, but which proves nothing, for 
we cannot see what connexion there should be between a thing 
* Physiologie, vol. ii. p. 861. 
+ Journal de Pharmacie, 1839, May, p. 289. 
2F2 


396 Mr. 'T.C. Eyton on the Fauna of Shropshire. 


which is acid and a thing which moves. In relation to this 
M. Virey says that he knows no blue (alkaline) flowers in 
which there is any movement. We will name to him a blue 
flower, Goldfussia anisophylla, in which the style is one of the 
most mobile*. On the subject of these excitable plants, M. 
Virey has quoted our observations on Stylidium graminifo- 
lium+, but he makes us say things quite contrary to what we 
have written. Thus, we have nowhere said that the gynandric 
column of the Stylidieze was articulated at its base by two op- 
posite or antagonist fibres or muscles. Never should we have 
allowed ourselves to look upon vegetable fibres as muscles ; 
we said (at pp. 15, 16, 17, and 18 of the memoir quoted) that 
these fibres exist all along the column, right and left. We 
never said that the column was irritable at its base, for it 
is not so; it is irritable at its elbow, and we have figured it five 
times: never did we say that we had found fecule in these 
muscles, as M. Virey asserts ; quite otherwise; we wrote (p. 18) 
that the fibres had no influence on the movement, since when 
they were cut, the movement still took place. What is in our 
memoir is this: our idea is very clear; it is the feculiferous 
portion of the column which moves, and the same thing takes 
place in all the species of the genus Stylidium. This is an ir- 
refragable fact ; whether it agree or not with received theories, 
signifies little; in the natural sciences facts go before all 
things, and it is by them alone that we can attain to truth. 


XLVIII.—An attempt to ascertain the Fauna of Shropshire 
and North Wales. By T. C. Eyton, Esgq., F.L.S. 


[Continued from vol. iii. p. 29. ] 


Additions to VERTEBRATA. 


Vespertilio Nattereri, Kahl. (Reddish Grey Bat.) One specimen ~ 
is in my possession, taken at Eyton. 

Sorex araneus, Linn. Since the publication of the former portion 
of this series of papers, the discovery of the Rev. L. Jenyns, that this 


* Morren, Recherches sur le Mouvement et l’Anatomie du Style du Gold- 
fussia anisophylla, 4to. Brux. 1839, avec 2 pl.—Mem. de l’Acad. t. xii. 

+ Recherches sur le Mouvement et l’Anatomie du Stylidium gra- 
minifolium, Brux. in 4to, 1838, Mem. de l’Acad. t. xi. 


Mr. T. C. Eyton on the Fauna of Shropshire. 397 


species does not coincide with that so called on the continent, has 
been made known to the world; the name therefore which has been 
applied to it must be here adopted in the place of that before given ; 
viz. for S. araneus read S. rusticus, Jen. 

Sorex tetragonurus, Durer., Jen. (Square-tailed Shrew.) I have 
lately captured one specimen of this shrew in the marshy meadows 
bordering the river Tearne between Longdon and Allscot ; its length 
from the tip of the snout to the root of the tail is 8 inches. 

Arvicola pratensis, Bail. (Bank Vole.) Several times taken near 
Eyton. . 

Sula Bassana, Linn. (Gannet.) A specimen has lately been brought 
to me alive, caught during a high wind quite exhausted: it became 
so tame after a few-days that it would take fish from the hand. 


INVERTEBRATA. 


Land and Freshwater Mollusca. 


Arion ater, Fer. Common. 

Limaz cinereus, Linn. Common. 

Limaz agrestis, Linn. Common under stones and logs of wood 
in autumn. 

Vitrina pellucida, Mull. Common. 

Succinea, Drap. Succinea amphibia, Turton, Manual, and S. am- 
phibia, Drap., are two distinct shells ; but S. oblonga, Turt., is S. am- 
phibia, Drap. Helix peregra, Mont., is not either of these, but ap- 
pears to be a true Succinea, although quoted by Turton as a synonym 
to Limneus pereger, but is the shell figured by Pennant under the 
name of Helix putris. With S. amphibia, Turt., I am unacquainted. 
The synonyms of the British species of the genus which I have had 
an opportunity of examining will therefore stand thus :-— 

Suecinea amphibia, Drap. S. oblonga, Turt. Helix putris, Mont. 
Not uncommon about Eyton. 

Succinea peregra. Helix peregra, Mont. Helix putris, Penn. Com- 
mon; adhering to water plants. 

Heliz arbustorum, Linn. Common. 

Heliz aspersa, Gmel. Common in many localities, particularly on 
the walls of Beaumaris Castle, also near Rhoscolyn on Holyhead 
Island. 

Feliz nemoralis, Linn. Innumerable varieties of this common shell 
occur. 

Helix hortensis, Linn. Occasionally occurs at Eyton. 

Helix rufescens, Mont. Found on most sand hills near the sea. 


398 Mr. T. C. Eyton on the Fauna of Shropshire. 


Heliz hispida, Mont. 4H. sericea, Drap. Common. 

Helix lucida, Drap. Common. 

Helix radiata, Mont. H. rotundata, Mull., Drap. Common. 

Heliz ericetorum, Linn. At Rhoscolyn and Towyn Merioneth : 
common on stones and walls on the sea shore. 

Bulimus fasciatus, Mont. B. acutus, Mull.- Common on most 
sandy shores above high water mark, and where there is some slight 
vegetation. 

Pupa Secale, Drap. Very common at Eyton in the autumn, ad- 
hering to the under side of logs of wood and stones. 

Cyclostoma obtusum, Drap. Common on the Weald moors, adhe- 
ring to water plants. 

Planorbis carinatus, Drap. Common in ditches on the Weald 
moors. 

Planorbis vortex, Mull. Common in the same locality as the last. 

Planorbis contortus, Turt. Also common on the Weald Moors. 

Planorbis nitidus, Mull. Notso common as the foregoing species, 
but found in the same locality. The Planorbis nitidus of Muller ap- 
pears to be the P. complanata of Drap.; P. nitidus of Drap. is pro- 
bably the P. contortus of Turton and Linnzeus. 

Planorbis marginatus, Drap. Common at Eyton. 

Limneus magnalis, Linn. Once taken at Eyton. 

Limneus palustris, Linn. and Drap. Common. I also find a va- 
riety of this species not quite so robust, and never growing to so large 
a size as the true palustris. 

Limneus elongatus, Drap. Once only taken near Watford in a 
peaty ditch. 

Limneus auricularius, Linn., Drap. Common. 

Anchylus fluviatilis, Mull. Common: attached to stones in most 
streams in Shropshire. 

Anchylus lacustris, Mull. ‘Twice taken in a mountain stream near 
Capel Curig. 

Paludina impura, Lamk. Common. 

Paludina similis, Jeff. P. viridis, Turt. Ositinitie on the Weald 
Moors. 

Anodon cygneus, Lamk. Common in pools and in the Shrewsbury 
canal. 

Anodon anatinus, Lamk. Also common in the same localities 
with the last; the remaining species of this genus are exceedingly 
doubtful. . 

Mysca Pictorum, Turt. Common. 

Unio Ratana, Lamk. Occasionally taken at Watford. 


Dr. Cantor on Indian Fish producing Isinglass. 399 


Cyclas cornea, Linn. Common. 

Cyclas calyculata, Drap. The only locality I know for this shell 
in the district is in a marl pit near Hutton Grange. 

Pisidium obtusale, Pf. Common on the Weald Moors. 

Pisidium pusillum, Jen. I have at different times taken two or three 
specimens of this shell on the Weald Moors. 

Pisidium nitidum, Jen. Not very uncommon on the Weald Moors. 

Pisidium ammeum, Mull. Taken in the same locality with the last. 


XLIX.—On the production of Isinglass from Indian Fishes. 
By Dr. Cantor, Corresponding Member of the Zoological 
Society*. 

In the December Number, 1838, of Parbury’s Oriental Herald 

appears a letter ‘On the Suleah Fish of Bengal, and the Isinglass it 

affords’: the description of this fish I shall quote in the words of 
the anonymous writer. ‘The Suleah Fish,” he observes, ‘“‘ when at 
its full size, runs about four feet in length, and is squaliform, resem- 
bling the Shark species in appearance, but exhibiting a more delicate 
structure than the latter. The meat of this fish is exceedingly 
coarse, and is converted by the natives, when salted and spiced, into 

‘burtah,’ a piquant relish, well known at the breakfast-tables of 

Bengal. The bladder of the Suleah may be considered the most 

valuable part of it, which, when exposed to the sun and suffered to 

dry, becomes purely pellucid, and so hard that it will repel the edge 
of a sharp knife when applied to it. These bladders vary from half 

a pound to three quarters of a pound avoirdupois in weight, when 

perfectly dry. ... The Suleah Fish abounds in Channel Creek, off 

Saugor, and in the ostia or mouths of all the rivers which intersect 

the Sunderbuns, and are exceedingly plentiful at certain seasons.” 
Conceiving the great importance of the discovery of isinglass 

being a product of India, I was naturally anxious to examine the 
source, arising from a branch of natural history to which in particular 

I have devoted my attention ; but from the general nature of the de- 

scription, I was obliged to defer my desire of identifying the fish till 

some future opportunity should enable me to do so. Quite unex- 
pectedly, however, a few days ago, the last overland despatch brought 
me a letter from my valued friend Mr. McClelland, a Corresponding 

Member of this Society, an extract of which, bearing upon the point 

in question, I lose no time in laying before the Society :—‘....I 

have now to mention what is of far greater importance in another 


* Read before the Zoological Society, July 28, 1839. 


400 Dr.Cantor on Indian Fish producing Isinglass. 


point of view, namely, that the Suleah Fish described in a recent 
number of Parbury’s Oriental Herald is the Polynemus Sele of Ha- 
milton. I have examined that species, and found an individual of 
two pounds weight to yield sixty-five grains of pure isinglass, an ar- 
ticle which here sells at sixteen rupees (1/. 12s.) per ib. Refer to 
your dissections of Polynemi; mark those with large air-vessels to be 
isinglass, requiring no other preparation than merely removing the 
vascular membrane that covers them, washing with lime-water, and 
drying in the sun. You know the size these fishes attain, and the 
number in which they abound in the Sunderbuns; you also know 
the method of taking them, and can therefore state to what extent 
isinglass may be obtained in India. I have sent a paper on the sub- 
ject to the Journal of the Asiatic Society*, which I will send you 
by the next.overland despatch.’ 

Perceiving by this that the subject iui been taken up by a na- 
turalist of Mr. McClelland’s rank, and that we ere long may expect 
his observations embodied in a paper from his hand, I think it suf- 
ficient to confine myself to a few general remarks upon those species 
of Polynemus which have come under my actual examination while 
I was attached as surgeon to the Hon. Company’s survey of the 
sea-face of the Gangetic Delta. 

The species best known is the Polynemus risua, Hamilton; Pol. 
longifilis, Cuvier ; the Tupsee or Mango Fish of the Anglo-Indians ; 
this inhabits the Bay of Bengal and the estuaries of the Ganges, 
but enters the mouths of the rivers, even higher up than Calcutta, 
during the breeding- season (April and May), when the fish is con- 
sidered in its highest perfection, and is greedily sought as a great 
delicacy. This species is the smallest, for its length seldom exceeds 
eight or nine inches, and one and a half to two inches in depth. 
Polynemus aureus and Topsui, Hamilton, are species closely allied to 
this. 

Polynemus sele, Hamilton, P. plebetus, Broussonnais, P. lineatus, 
Lacépéde, is the Suleah Fish mentioned in Parbury’s Oriental Herald, 
the same which Mr. McClelland submitted to examination. This 
species, as well as another closely allied to P. quadrifilis, Cuvier, 
which I have dissected, figured, and described, under the name of 
P. Salliah (Saccolih), appears equally plentiful, in shoals, all the 
year round in the estuaries of the Ganges, and is appreciated by 
Europeans and natives for its excellent flavour. Both species at- 
tain a size from three to four feet in length, and eight to ten inches 
in depth. 

* See the following article. 


Mr. McClelland on Jsinglass in Polynemus sele. 401 


In a paper which I had the honour of communicating to the Royal 
Asiatic Society*, the genus Polynemus,among others, was pointed out 
by meas forming an article of food fit for curing, and easily procurable 
in almost any quantity: by the discovery that it produces isinglass, 
it has attained an additional interest; and I have no doubt the ma- 
nufacture of this article will, when entrusted to judicious hands, 
form another valuable article of exportation from India. 


L.—On Isinglass in Polynemus sele, Buch., a species which 
is very common in the Estuaries of the Ganges. By 
J. McCLevuanp, Esq., Assistant Surgeont. | 


Tene are nine species of Polynemi, or Paradise fishes, enumerated 
by authors, and although they are all pretty well described, I am not 
aware of any more valuable property being known regarding them 
than their excellence as an article of food, of which we have a fa- 
miliar instance at this season in the Pol. paradiseus, or Mango-fish, 
Tupsi Muchi of the Bengalese. 

Buchanan has five species in his work on Gangetic Fishes, but 
three of these are small, and probably varieties only of the Tupst ; 
two of them, however, are of great size, and so common in the es- 
tuary of the Hoogly, that I have seen numerous hackeries, or bullock 
carts, conveying them to the Calcutta bazar, during the cold season. 
They are not confined to the estuary of the Hoogly, but probably 
extend to all the estuaries of the Ganges, as Buchanan says they do; 
and we know that Dr. Russell also describes two large species in his 
work, long since published, on the fishes of the Madras Coast. 

The very valuable production, Jsinglass, having been recently 
found to be yielded by one of the fishes of the Hoogly by a writer 
in Parbury’s Oriental Herald, it became an interesting object to 
determine the systematic name of the fish affording an article so 
valuable, and to learn as much as possible regarding its habits. 
Having procured a specimen of this fish from the bazar, I was sur- 
prised to find it to be a Polynemus, or Paradise fish, although the 
writer alluded to described it as resembling a Shark. My surprise 
was not that a person unacquainted with fishes should compare it to 
a Shark, or to anything else, but that a nearly allied species to the 
Mango-fish should contain a natatory vessel of such size and value, 


* Published in the Journal of the Royal Asiastic Society of Great Britain 
and Ireland, No. ix., August 1838, p. 165. 
+ From the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, No. 87, p. 203. 


402 Mr. McClelland on Isinglass in Polynemus sele. 


while that organ is quite absent in the Mango-fish itself, though a 
general character of nearly all others. 

I had come to the determination never to describe single or de- 
tached species of fish ; but as the object of this paper is to elucidate 
the commercial side of a question already before the public, I shall 
not pretend to offer any remarks on the scientific part of the subject, 
which is indeed beyond my province, as my observations have hi- 
therto been confined to the fresh water species of India. 

The species affording the Isinglass is the Polynemus sele, Buch. ; 
Sele, or Sulea, of the Bengalese, described, but not figured, in the 
Gangetic Fishes; but if Buchanan’s drawings had not been placed 
under a bushel since 1815, probably this useful discovery would 
have been sooner made, and better understood by the writer in Par- 
bury’s Oriental Herald, to whom we are indebted for it. 

The figure [given in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, ] 
from Buchanan’s unpublished collection at the Botanic Garden, 
conveys an excellent representation, about half-size, of a specimen 
from which I obtained 66 grains of Isinglass: but as the writer in 
Parbury’s Oriental Herald states that from half a pound to three 
quarters of a pound is obtained from each fish, we may suppose 
either that P. sele attains a much greater size than 24 pounds, the 
limit given to it by Buchanan, or, that the Isinglass is also afforded 
by a far larger species, namely Polynemus teria, Buch. or Teria 
bhangan of the Bengalese, Maga jellee of Russell, which Buchanan 
was informed sometimes equals three hundred and twenty pounds 
avoirdupois, and which I frequently have seen of an uniform size, 
that must have been from fifty to a hundred pounds at least, load- 
ing whole cavaleades of hackeries at once on their way to the Cal- 
cutta bazar, as I have already stated, during the cold season, when 
they would consequently seem to be very common. 

Although the sound, or natatory vessel is the part of the fish that 
would afford the principal inducement to form fisheries, one of the 
obligations that speculators should be obliged to enter into with the 
Government is, to cure all parts of such fishes as might be taken for 
their sound. Considering the scarcity of fish in many parts of India, 
and the great, 1 may say unlimited demand for it in some parts of 
the country even when badly preserved, as well as the excellence of 
the flesh of all the Polynemi, the curing of these fishes might prove 
no less profitable to the parties themselves, than it would unques- 
tionably be to the country. I was happy to find the attention of the 
Royal Asiatic Society directed to the subject of curing fishes in 


Mr. McClelland on Isinglass in Polynemus sele. 403 


India by Dr. Cantor, (vide Proceedings, 21st April, 1838) but a 
something was then wanting to be known in order to give a direct 
inducement to the undertaking*. I therefore regard the discovery 
of the Ichthyocolla of commerce in one of the larger Polynemi of 
India as a circumstance eminently calculated to direct attention to 
a promising and almost unlooked for source of enterprise. We first 
of all require to know whether more Polynemi than one afford it, 
and to be fully acquainted with the habits and the methods already 
employed for taking such asdo. Polynemus sele, Buch. is the species 
I examined and found to contain it; but this species is supposed to 
be a variety only of Polynemus lineatus, which is very common on 
all the shores to the eastward ; it therefore becomes a question of 
some importance to determine whether P. lineatus yields the same 
valuable article, and if it be really common to the eastward; if so, 
it seems strange that the Chinese should send for it to the Hoogly. 
Next, do the Pol. Emoi and Pol. plebeius, supposed by Buchanan to 
correspond with his Sele, contain the same valuable substance? and 
do either of Russell’s species, namely, the Maga booshee and Maga 
Jjellee, (Indian Fishes, 183, 184,) yield it? These are questions 
easily determined along our coasts by merely opening such fish as 
correspond with the one figured, and ascertaining whether they con- 
tain an air vessel or not, and whether that vessel if present be large 
or small. Mergui, Batavia, Singapore, Tranquebar, Madras, and 


* Should Dr. Cantor still be in London, I would recommend those who 
may be interested in the important question of Isinglass to consult him, as 
no one is so competent to afford information regarding the fish by which that 
article is yielded in India. He will, I am confident, on a re-examination 
of his notes regarding the Polynemi, readily distinguish those with large 
sounds, and be able to afford more valuable information regarding their 
habits, and the quantities in which they are procurable, than could be ex- 
pected from any one who had not devoted his thoughts to the subject, du- 
ring a survey of the place in which these fishes occur. I am not sure that 
the species of Polynemus Dr. Cantor particularly refers to in his paper as 
the Salliah, or Saccolih, is not the very fish that affords Isinglass; if so, it 
appears to be considered by Dr. Cantor as a new species, and his notes will 
probably afford all that it is essential to know regarding its habits. Thus, 
as Sir J. E. Smith somewhere observed, “ the naturalist who describes a new 
species, however trifling it may seem, knows not what benefit that species 
may yet confer on mankind.” 

In an interesting account of Kurachee by Lieut. Carloss, read at the last 
anniversary Meeting of the Bombay Geographical Society, cod sounds and 
sharks’ fins are mentioned among the exports from that place, and fishing is 
said to be carried on to a considerable extent along the coast of Sinde. As 
however the Cod, Morrhua vulgaris, Cuv., is quite unknown in the Indian 
Seas, the species from which the sounds alluded to by Lieut. Carloss are 
taken are no doubt Polynemi, the larger species of which are sometimes 
called by the English, Rock-Cod. It will be curious to learn if the Chinese 
have monopolised this trade on the coast of Sinde as well as in the Hoogly. 


404 Mr. McClelland on Isinglass in Polynemus scle. 


Bombay are points at which observations might be made. This ques- 
may be so easily ascertained, that it is hardly worth forming a con- 
jecture about it; but if any of the species common to the coasts of the 
Eastern seas possessed so valuable a property, the chances are that 
it would have been long since discovered. It is therefore probable 
that the large gelatine sound will be found to be peculiar to Pol. sele, 
and perhaps Pol. teria,* Buch. both of which seem.to resort chiefly 
to the Gangetic estuaries at certain seasons, particularly during the 
North-east monsoon, when it is easy to imagine that the shelter af- 
forded in those estuaries at that season, might account for many 
peculiarities which their ichthyology appears to present, compared 
with that of open coasts. It is during the cold season that the two 
gigantic fishes above mentioned appear to be caught in most abun- 
dance, a circumstance the more favourable to any improved opera- 
tions that might be resorted to with a view to convert them to useful 
purposes. Whether both contain the same valuable substance, I am 
unable to say, having as yet only examined P. sele. 


Gren.—POLYNEMUS. 

Two fins on the back, with long filaments attached to the sides in 
front of the pectoral fins. Opercula covered with scales; preoper- 
culum serrated behind. Example. The common Mango-fish of 
Bengal. 

YrEeLD1NG Istneuass. 
P. Sele, Buch. Plate— 
Sele, or Sulea of the Bengalese. 

Five filaments, the first reaching from the front of the pectorals 
to midway between those fins and the anal, the other filaments pro- 
gressively shorter; no streaks on the sides, lateral line deflected on 
the lower lobe of the caudal fin. The fin rays are as follows :—first 
dorsal seven, second dorsal fourteen, pectorals thirteen in each, 
ventrals each six, anal twelve or thirteen, caudal twenty (?) The 
teeth are very fine, continuous below round the edges of the jaws, 
but interrupted at the anterior part of the upper jaw, behind which 
a small detached group of palatine teeth are placed on the vomer. 

The liver consists of an elongated left lobe and a short right one, 
under which the gall bladder is situated. The stomach is a short 
muscular cul-de-sac, both orifices of which being placed at the an- 
terior extremity, from which numerous small cece are given off, the 
intestine extends straight to the vent; in all these respects it corre- 
sponds nearly with P. paradiseus. The air vessel, which is quite absent 


* P. quadrifilis, Cuv. P, tetradactylus, &c. and probably refer to the same. 


The Rey. R. T. Lowe on the Fishes of Madeira. 405 


in the latter, and on which the peculiar value of this species seems 
to depend, is a large spindle-shaped organ about half the length of 
the fish, thick in the middle and tapering toward the extremities, 
where it ends in front by two, and behind by a single tendinous 
cord; similar small tendinous attachments, about twenty-two in 
number, connect it on either side to the upper and lateral parts of 
the abdominal cavity. This organ, which is called the sound, is to 
be removed, opened, and stript of a thin vascular membrane which 
covers it both within and without, washed perhaps with lime water 
and exposed to the sun, when it will soon become dry and hard; it 
may require some further preparation to deprive it of its fishy smell, 
after which it may be drawn into shreds for the purpose of render- 
ing it the more easily soluble. The fish which I examined weighed 
about two pounds and yielded about sixty-five grains of Isinglass, 
not quite pure, but containing about 10 per cent. of albuminous 
matter, owing perhaps to the individual from which it was taken 
being young and out of season, and not above a tenth part of the 
ordinary size of the species. But the solution after having been 
strained appeared to be equal to that of the best Isinglass, which 
costs in Calcutta from twelve to sixteen rupees a pound. As the 
subject thus seemed to be of consequence, I gave a portion of the 
substance in question to Dr. O’Shaughnessy for its chemical ex- 
amination. 
Calcutta, 3rd May, 1839. 


e 


LI.—A Supplement to the Synopsis of the Fishes of Madeira* 
in the Second Volume of the Transactions of the Zoological 
Society. By the Rev. R. T. Lowe. 


Fam. Percipz. 


Genus CaLLANTHIAS. 

Gen. char.—Head scaly, except the short muzzle before the eyes ; 
teeth as in Anthias, Bl.; preopercle perfectly entire; opercle with 
two flat adpressed spines; lateral line high up, near the back, and 
ending at the end of the dorsal fin, which is even or continuous ; 
branchiostegous membrane with six rays. 

CALLANTHIAS PARADISHuUSs. A most elegant little fish ; in general 
habit and colouring resembling Anthias sacer, Bl., but without the 
produced third spine of the dorsal fin. Its analogies are singularly 
complicated, but its affinities are truly Percidous. By Bloch it might 


* Read before the Zoological Society, May 28, 1839. 


406 ‘The Rey. R. T. Lowe on the Fishes of Madeira. 


have been arranged either in Bodianus or Cephalopholis, Bl., but it is 
really inadmissible into any well-defined or constituted modern ge- 
nus. It is almost as rare as beautiful. 


Fam. Berycip2. 
Genus Breryrx, Cuv. 


Breryx pEcapActytus, Cuv. B. corpore ovali, lato, profundo, 
altitudine longitudinem capitis superante ; dorso elevato, arcuato, 
gibbo ; ventre prominente: basi pinne dorsalis elongato, pinnis 
pectoralibus haud breviore: oculis maximis : operculi angusti ca- 
rina obscura: osse humerali angusto, margine posteriore recto, 
verticali. 


D. 4 + 18 — 20; Vs. 1 +10; &c. 

B. decadactylus, Cuv. and Val., Hist. III. 222. 

B. splendens, nob. quoad icon. ‘Tab. III. in Cam. Phil. Trans., 
Vol. VI. Part 1; haud textus. 

When I published B. splendens as a new species in the Cambridge 
Transactions, I was unacquainted with the present fish, though it is 
scarcely perhaps less common than the former. I consequently did 
not discover till long after, that the figure intended for my B. splen- 
dens had been inadvertently taken by Miss Young from an individual 
of B. decadactylus, Cuv., of which it offers the more obvious pecu- 
liarities. The true B. splendens, therefore, yet remains unfigured, 

‘and till an opportunity presents of supplying this deficiency in the 
«‘ Fishes of Madeira,” I subjoin its true specific characters, contrasted 
with those of B. decadactylus. 


B. spLenpENS. B. corpore oblongo, altitudine longitudinem capitis 
haud equante : dorso recto: basi pinne dorsalis brevi, pinnis pec- 
toralibus breviore : oculis magnis ; operculi lati carina prominente : 
osse humerali dilatato, margine posteriore arcuato, obliquo. 


D.44+138—15; V.1+10—138 (1 + 11 fere); &c. 

‘B. splendens, nob. Proceed. Zool. Soc. 1833.1. 142. Cam. Phil. 
Trans. VI. 1.197; excl. icon.—Syn. Mad. Fishes in Trans. Zool. 
Soc. Vol. ii. p. 174. 

Trachichthys pretiosus, nob. 

Hoplostethus mediterraneus, Cuy. and Val. IV. 496. t. 97. bis. 
Rariss. 

This fish is unquestionably congeneric, if it is not even still more 
closely allied with Trachichthys australis of Shaw. Hence the above 
adoption of the older generic appellation, affording opportunity for 
the substitution of a less restrictive specific title; better suited to a 
fish : proved by the occurrence of two individuals in these Atlantic 
seas not to be peculiarly Mediterranean. 

To the Sub-Percidous family Berycide belongs also Polymizia ; 


The Rev. R. T. Lowe on the Fishes of Madeira. 407 


nob. Cam. Phil. Trans. IV. 1. 198. t. 1V.—Syn. Mad. Fish. pp. 178, 
179. 
Fam. TrieLipa. 
Trigla lineata,L. Cuv. and Val. Hist. 1V. 34.; Yarrell, Brit. 
Fish. 1. 46. Rariss. 
A single individual only has occurred. 


Fam, Sparipz. 

Pagellus rostratus, nob.—Syn. Mad. Fish. 177. 

Reference to the excellently characteristic figures of Rondelet and 
Salviani has satisfied me that this is merely Pagellus erythrinus, Cuv. 
and Val. 

Fam. Cua@ropontTiIp&. 

Pimelepterus Boscii, Lac.—‘‘ Cheiroco”’ or ‘‘ Xarroco.”’—Cuv. and 

Val. VII. 258. t. 187. Rariss. 


Fam, ScoMBRID&. 


Thynnus Albacora.—‘‘Atum Albacora.”’—T. corpore elongato, postice 
attenuato : pinna anali ‘secundaque dorsali antice longe falcato- 
productis: pectoralibus ad medium secunde dorsalis attingen- 
tibus : ore oculisque parvis. 


Tunny, Penn. Brit. Zool. Ed. 1. iii. 266. No. 133. t. 52. excl. syn. 
An L’Auxide de Sloane, Scomber Sloanei, Cuv. and Val. Hist. VIII. 
148; i. e. Albacore, Sloane, Hist. of Jam. 1.t.1.f. p. 28? Sat. 
vulg. 

The length of the narrow produced fore-part of the second dorsal 
fin varies from one-sixth to one-fourth part of the whole length of 
the fish ; that of the pectoral fins is from one-fifth to one-fourth part 
of the same, and their tips reach to the middle of the second dorsal 
fin. Thus, in this latter point it is intermediate between the common 
Tunny (7. vulgaris, L.) and the following new species (TJ. obesus, 
nob.) ; approaching most the latter. 

Pennant’s figure is at least a tolerable representation of this very 
distinct species, agreeing with it in its main points of difference from 
the true 7. vulgaris, L. It may be hoped that the attention of Bri- 
tish Naturalists will be directed to this point. The proper season 
for the Albacora in Madeira is September and October. 

Tuynnus opesus.—‘‘ Atum Paiudo.”—T. corpore abbreviato : obeso: 


pinnis acutis ; pectoralibus ad finem secunde dorsalis attingen- 
tibus: oculis magnis. 


Vulgaris. 
This fish is constantly distinguished by the fishermen from the 
common Tunny or “ Atum Rabilha”’ (T. vulgaris, L.) by the larger 


408 The Rey. R. T. Lowe on the Fishes of Madeira. 


eye, and shorter thickset figure. The pectoral fins vary from one- 
fourth to nearly one-sixth part of the whole length, their points 
reaching to the end of the second dorsal fin. In T. vulgaris, L. the 
tips of the pectoral fins reach only to the end of the first, or to the 
beginning of the second dorsal fin. 

T’. obesus is in greatest abundance earlier in the summer than T. 
Albacora. In size it ranges next below T. vulgaris, L., not however 
attaining above half the extreme size of that species; nor much ex- 
ceeding the full size of T. Albacora. 

Thynnus Alalonga, Cuv. and Val.—‘* Atum Avoador.”—Cuv. and 
Val. Hist. VIII. 120. t. 215. 

Orcynus Alalonga, Risso, iii. 419. Vulgaris. 

No difficulty can occur in the recognition of this species, from the 
great length of the pectoral fins, which are one-third part of the 
whole length, and reach to the end of the anal fin, or to the first 
spurious finlet behind it. Its proper season is said to be January. 

Thyrsites acanthoderma.—‘‘ Escolar.” 

Aplurus simplex, Syn. Mad. Fish. 180. 

This is the fish called in my Synopsis Aplurus simplex. Itisa 
true Thyrsites, Cuy. in every respect, except the structure of the skin, 
a peculiarity which seems insufficient, in the absence of all other 
characters, to warrant its generic separation.* 

Prometheus atlanticus, nob.—‘‘ Coelho.’’ 

This also is again here mentioned only for the sake of remarking, 
that further observations have gone far to prove the Maderan fish to 
be specifically distinct from both Gempylus Prometheus and G. Solandri 
of MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes, whose synonyms should therefore 
be expunged. 

Gen. ApHANnopus, nob. 

Gen. Char.—Form as in Lepidopus, elongate, much compressed, 
like a sword-blade, naked, but with a short keel on each side, towards 
the tail. 

Muzzle and teeth as in Lepidopus (Gouan), but the palatines un- 
armed. 

Dorsal fins two, nearly equal. Anal fin as in Lepidopus, but with 
a strong sharp spine instead of a scale before it, a little behind the 
vent. No trace or rudiment of ventral fins. 


ApHANOPUS CARBO.—‘‘ Espada preta.”’ Rariss. 
Of this most curious new genus a single individual only has yet 


* By an error in the punctuation, some descriptive observations at the 
bottom of page 180 of my synopsis (Trans. Zool. Soc., vol. ii.), relating to 
this fish, have been converted into a specific character. 


The Rev. R. T. Lowe on the Fishes of Madeira. 409 


occurred. The whole fish is of a dark coffee colour, approaching to 
black, and has in form so close a general resemblance to Lepidopus 
argyreus, Cuv., that it might well be taken hastily for a mere variety 
of that fish. 

Tetragonurus atlanticus, nob. 

Differs from T. Cuvieri, Cuv. and Val., XI. 172. ¢. 318. chiefly in 
the longer head, much larger eye (nearly twice as large in proportion 
to the whole length), greater width between the eyes, teeth twice 
as numerous, in the upper jaw; thicker body, longer pectoral fins, 
higher (twice as high) first dorsal fin, and inequality of its spines. 
Having, however, seen only a single individual, I forbear to charac- 
terize it more distinctly ; especially since of T. Cuviert so few ex- 
amples have as yet occurred; and that even MM. Cuvier and Va- 
lenciennes appear to have taken their figure from one which was im- 
perfect in the caudal fin at least. The’ first dorsal fin is described 
by MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes as having fifteen spines; but 
twenty-one are figured in the plate. 

The following is the fin-formula of T. Cuvieri, according to Risso ; 
and MM. Cuv. and Val. : 

Siete eto; and, DD. 12; All lity Po t63°V.1,5;°C. 36." 
—Risso Hist. 


& 15 in text, : i R 
Ist. D. 13) in ag’ ¢ 20d. D,1+18; A.12; P2; V?; C?; B. 


M. 5.”’—Cuv. and Val. Hist. 

That of T. atlanticus, nob. is 

Ist, D.15; Qnd.D.11; A.11.; P.16; V.1+5; C. aa . 
B. M. 5. 

The true affinities of this fish are certainly rather to be sought 
among the Mackerels (e. g. Thyrsites) than the Mullets. Its relation 
to the Mugilide is, indeed, one merely of a faint analogy. 

Xiphias gladius, L.—‘‘ Peixe Agulha.” 

The ordinary Sword-fish of Madeira is truly the common Xiphias 
gladius, L. 

I have heard, however, of ‘‘ another sort, with a bayonet or spit- 
like beak,” called ‘‘ Peto,’ which may perhaps have been a Histio- 
phorus or Tetrapturus. 

SERIOLA DUBIA. Rariss. 

A single individual only has occurred, which I am Soahin. to 
identify with any of the species enumerated by MM. Cuv. and Val. 
The second dorsal fin is produced in front into a point ; five-eighths 
the depth of the body beneath. The sides of the tail are sufficiently 
- distinctly keeled; and there is no temporal band. In the first of 
Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.4. No. 26. Feb. 1840. 2G 


410 ‘The Rey. R. T. Lowe on the Fishes of Madeira. 


these characters it comes nearest S. Rivoliana or S. falcata Cuv. and 
Val.; differing; however, from both, principally in the points in 
which they are said to agree with S. Dumerilii, Cuv. and Val. 
With S. Lalandi, Cuv. and Val., it agrees in the two latter points 
above-mentioned ; but differs in the produced second dorsal and anal 
fins; S. Lalandi appearing from MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes’ de- 
scription not to disagree in this respect with S. Dumerilii, Cuv. and 
Val. The individual described measured two feet and a half long. 

Lampris lauta. For “ Vertebris 69” and “ Vert. 49,” in the 
specific character and following formula of the Lampris lauta, p, 
183. Of the Synopsis of Fish Mad. (vol. ii. Trans. Zool. Soc.), 
read, Vertebris 45; and in the seventh line of the next page, for 
‘“‘ six vertebre more,” read ‘‘ two vertebre more.” 


Fam. CoryPHzNID2. 

Coryphena hippurus, Cuv. and Val.? ‘‘ Dourado macho.”—Syn. 
Fish Mad. 183. 

This fish agrees with C. hippuroides, Raf., according to the brief 
account transcribed by MM. Cuv. and Val., in having a row of larger 
dusky spots along the ridge of the back on each side at the base of 
the dorsal fin, which is itself immaculate, whilst the anal fin is also 
somewhat high and pointed in front. In these three points it is at 
variance with MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes’ elaborate description 
of their C. hippurus, L. The individual described, however, by these 
consummate Ichthyologists was a male; whilst the only three which 
I have been able to examine closely, proved on dissection to be fe- 
males, though commonly supposed by the Maderan fisherman to be the 
male of C. equisetis, L. Hence the Maderan fish, whether identical 
or not with the obscure and doubtful C. hippuroides, Raf., is for the 
present better referred to C. hippurus,L. Sufficient ground appears 
for the suspicion that the above differences may be only sexual. But 
were it otherwise, they would alone scarcely warrant its specific dis- 
crimination. 


Corypuana Norroniana.— Delfim.” 

This is a deeper fish than the preceding, in proportion to its 
length; with the front much steeper and bluffer; indeed, nearly 
vertical; the Dorsal fin beginning also somewhat forwarder. In the 
fin-formule, and number of the vertebrze (31), the two agree; and I 
have seen too few individuals at present to decide whether they really 
are distinct, or only so in sex. But for its spotted body, I should 
be greatly tempted to refer it to the imperfectly known C. imperialis, 
Raf. (See Cuv. and Val., Hist. 9, 286.) In this uncertainty as to 


The Rev. R. T. Lowe on the Fishes of Madeira, 411 


both rank and synonyms, less ultimate confusion will result from a 
distinct specific name, applied provisionally, than from a doubtful 
reference. It is therefore called after the Honourable C. E. C. Nor- 
ton, to whose able pencil I was first indebted for a knowledge of the 
fish. Two other supposed individuals have since occurred, of which, 
however, one was unfortunately neglected, and the other had been 
two much injured by a blow, beating in the interparietal crest, to be 
fully satisfactory. This last individual, taken November 22nd 1838, 
was apparently a male ; but I could not satisfy myself completely even 
on this point, and infer it only from my inability to discover any trace 
of the ovaria. 

Coryphena’ equisetis, L. 1, 447.—‘ Dourada,” “ D. femea,” or 
«* D. amarella.””—C. equisetis, Cuv. and Val., 9, 297, ¢. 267. 

This may at once be distinguished from the foregoing species by 
its unspotted body, marked only by a few scattered, clear, but ex- 
tremely minute black specks, very different from the diffused, pale, 
dusky, larger, spots of the preceding. The pectoral fins are also very 
short, the dorsal fin with fewer rays (53— 55), the number of ver- 
tebree greater (33), the form deeper and less elongated than even in 
the first species here recorded. It also is a smaller fish. Being 
our commonest species, I have seen numerous examples, but none 
exceeding two feet in length. The average length is very uniformly 
from twenty to twenty-two or twenty-three inches. 

This fish, which is the commonest of the ‘‘ Dourados”’ of Madeira, 
differs from C. equisetis, L., as described by MM. Cuv. and Val., 
under the name of C. equisetis, only in the head being rather longer 
than high, instead of higher than long, in the dorsal fin being lower 
in its highest part, and also lower before than at its hinder end; and 
lastly in the profile being oblique from the beginning, whilst in C. 
equisetis, Cuv. and Val., ‘‘ il monte d’abord verticalement sur le tiers 
& peu prés de son contour.” The first three discrepancies might 
well be merely due to slightly different modes of measurement. 
The latter is less easily accountable; for in this Maderan fish at 
least, of which I am well acquainted with both sexes, I find nothing 
to confirm M. Dussumier’s observation, that a greater height of the 
interparietal crest is characteristic of the male in Coryphena. See 
Cuv. and Val. 12, Pref. p. vii. 

Pompilus Rondeletit, Will. 215, ¢. O. 1, f. 6. 

Centrolophus pompilus, Yarr. 1, 158. 
pompilus, Cuv. and Val. 9, 334, ¢. 269. 
morio (Lacep.) Ib. 342. Rariss. 
Two examples have occurred during the writing of this paper ; 
262 


412 The Rey. R. T. Lowe on the Fishes of Madeira. 


the first was uniformly blackish, without spots or marks, thus an- | 
swering to Centrolophus Morio of Lacepéde: the second individual 
was smaller, and was marked, precisely as in MM. Cuvier and 
Valenciennes’ figure (t. 269) of C. pompilus. 

I have no hesitation in uniting both these fishes, with their re- 
spective synonyms, under the name long since applied by Willoughby 
to designate the species; although by him employed especially in 
reference to the second state or variety abovementioned, which also 
was the variety originally described by Rondeletius. 

Pompilus Bennettii. 

Leirus Bennettii, nob. in Cam. Trans. VI. 1, 199, t. V.—Syn. 

Mad. Fish, p. 179. 

Centrolophus ovalis, Cuv. and Val. IX. 346. 
crassus. Ib. 348. 

The genus Leirus proves identical with Centrolophus, Lac., which 
in its turn, if not intolerable in itself (see Cuv. and Val. IX. 33].), 
must yield precedence to the prior claims of Pompilus, Rond. The 
species described by the Ichthyologist of Montpellier, (Centrolophus 
pompilus, Auct.) ought, on the other hand, as long ago by Willoughby, 
to be called Pompilus Rondeletii. 

Brama Raii, Bl.‘ Freira.’”>—Syn. Mad. Fish, p. 179. 

The true affinities of this fish are most assuredly Scombridal, or 
to speak more strictly, Coryphenidal. 

It was in reconsidering those of Brama, and in reaching this con- 
clusion, that I was first led to detect the true affinities and synonyms 
of Leirus. It was not till convinced of the necessity of placing 
Brama next to Pompilus (Centrolophus, Lac.), that I discovered Leirus 
Bennettii to be a genuine species of this last-named genus. 

So valuable are these studies of affinities; and thus do even errors 
often lead to valuable truth. I was not wrong, however, in asso- 
ciating Leirus Bennettii with Brama; but in not referring sooner it, 
or rather both, to the neighbourhood of Pompilus. 


Fam. ZENID&. 
Zeus Faber. 


Fam. MuGiLip2. 


Muein mavEReEnsis. ‘‘ Tainha de moda.” 

This is the fish published, in the former part of this list, under the 
name and with the synonyms of M. Chelo, Cuv. Comparing it, how- 
ever, more closely with the description of M. Chelo in the eleventh 
volume of MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes’ Histoire, I find the follow- 
ing principal discrepancies in the Maderan fish : 


The Rev. R. T. Lowe on the Fishes of Madeira. . 413 


1. The produced scaly appendages at the base of the first dorsal 
fin extend considerably beyond the base of the fourth spine. 

2. The maxillary is but very slightly S-like. 

3. The upper lip is by no means peculiarly thick and fleshy, but 
rather the contrary. 

4. It is a shallower, less deep fish in proportion to its Prete: 

5. The tongue is altogether smooth, without any “ asperités”’ 
whatever, at the edges or anterior end of the “‘ aréte,” which cannot 
be called ‘‘ trés-aigue.” 

6. The palate also is entirely smooth, not papillose near the vomer. 

7. A conspicuous bright metallic brassy spot on the opercula, as 
in M. auratus, Cuv. and Val. 

It differs, however, essentially from this last-named species, and 
from M. breviceps, Cuv. and Val., in the exposure of the ends of the 
maxillary. 
Fam. Gosip2. 

Having considerably extended my list of species, as well as rec- 
tified some errors in the nomenclature of others, I subjoin a com- 
plete enumeration of the Maderan species of this family hitherto 
discovered. 

Blennius gattorugine, Will. Cuv. and Val. 1X. 200. Will. Ichth. 
132. t. H. 2. f. 2.—Yarr. 1, 226. Rariss. 

A single individual only has occurred. 

Blennius palmicornis, Cuv. and Val. XI. 214. t. 320. Syn. Mad. 
Fish 185. Vulgaris. 

Blennius Artedii, Cuv. and Val. XI. 231. 
Synops. Mad. Fish 185. haud Cuv. et Val. Rarior. 

This is the little fish which, being formerly known to me only by 
a sketch, I had erroneously supposed to be referrible to B. inequalis, 
Cuy. and Val. On better acquaintance it however proves their B. 
Artedii; and is indeed a most distinct and well-marked little species, 
scarcely exceeding two inches in length, and at once characterized 
by its active lively habits, its light tawny brown or yellowish olive 
colour, sprinkled all over with numerous minute white specks or 
dots, and the hollow, triangle-shaped, ciliate, occipital crest. 

Blennius parvicornis, Cuv. and Val. XI. 257. Syn. Mad. Fish 
185. Rariss. 

Of this, as formerly of B. Artedii, I have no means of judging, 
except from some notes and a drawing taken by Miss Young, July 
10th, 1835, during my absence from the island. My friend Mr. 
Yarrell has, however, examined the individual from which these were 
taken; and on his accuracy I rely entirely for the correctness of the 


inequalis nob. 


414 The Rey. R. T. Lowe on the Fishes of Madeira. 


above name or reference. I had before supposed it to be undescribed, 
calling it B. strigatus. 

Pholis levis, Flem. Cuv. and Val. XI. 269. Yarr. 1, 230. Syn. 
Mad. Fish 185.. Rarior. | 

I cannot help suspecting that MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes’ Ma- 
deran specimen at least, discovered by my friend Henry Richardson, 
Esq., of Aber Hirnant, North Wales, of Blennius trigloides, Cuv. and 
Val. XI. 228, is really nothing but this state or variety of Pholis 
levis, which differs from the ordinary European fish only in having 
five or six distinct dark blotches or ‘‘ demi-bands’’ along the back. 
I have hitherto met with no other fish beside the present answering 
at all to their description of B. trigloides; whilst this state of Pholis 
levis, although somewhat rare, is by no means so uncommon as to 
have been likely to escape Mr. Richardson’s unwearied assiduity. 

Salarias atlanticus, Cuv. and Val. XI. 321. Syn. Mad. Fish 185. 
Vulgaris. 

Tripterygion nasus, Riss. Cuv. and Val. XI. 409. Syn. Mad. Fish 
185. Rariss. | 

Gosius NIGER, (. nob. 3 
, L. Syn. Mad. Fish 185. 

Gobius Maderensis, Cuv. and Val. XII. 55. Rarior. 

I believe this to be a mere variety or state of the common Euro- 
pean G. niger, Cuv. and Val., analogous to the above-mentioned 
Maderan state of Pholis levis, Flem. 

Gosius EpuipPiatus, G. fuscus, maculatus et punctatus: capite 
nuchaque nudis, hac sulcata: pinnarum pectoralium dorsaliumque radiis 
haud productis : squamis magnis. 

D. 1™*. 6; D. 24.12; A. 11; P. 19; V. 5; C. 
B.M. 5. Rariss. 

Of a nearly uniform brown colour, a little paler on the belly, with 
a row of darker rich brown patches along the sides, and above these 
numerous scattered smaller spots. Head spotted. The spots on the 
head and fore part of the body are ocellate, or surrounded by a fer- 
ruginous or yellowring. The eyes are scarcely a semidiameter apart. 
The ventral fins are united, but by a very low membrane in front, 
Length of the only individual which has hitherto occurred, five inches. 
It appears sufficiently distinct from all the described European spe- 
cies by its naked head and nape. 


5 v. 6 


ave tT XV: 


Fam. Lopuip2. 


CHEIRONEOTES BicoRNIS. C. hispidus, setis furcatis, nudus sed- 
appendiculatus, pallide ruber, punctulis fuscis conspurcatus : 


The Rev. R. T. Lowe on the Fishes of Madeira. 415 


Fronte super oculos bicorni; cornu anteriore distincto, recurvo ; 
posteriore gibboso-cristiformi ; filamento intermedio inconspicuo : 
brachiis pectoralibus ventralibusque exsertis. 


141 
D. 12; A.7; P.10; V.5; O. 7454+ V: 


A single individual only has occurred of this pretty little species, 
which in the foregoing characters appears distinct enough from all 
enumerated by MM. Cuv. and Val. ; approaching, perhaps, nearest 
to Ch. furcipilis, pardalis, or coccineus. It was only one and three- 
fourths of an inch long, and seven-eighths of an inch deep. The 
whole fish is strongly scabrous to the touch. 


Fam. Lasripz. 


Crenilabrus caninus, nob. Synops. 186. 

A most remarkable variety of this fish has the preopercle perfectly 
entire ; invalidating thus completely the generic character. This 
state of the species appears permanent, and independent of age or 
size; whilst it is wholly unaccompanied by other marks of difference 
or indications of disease. It is rare comparatively with the normal 
form. 

Crenilabrus luscus, nob. in Syn. Mad. Fish 187; nec Yarrellii 
nec Linnei. 

This also proves distinct: from Mr. Couch’s Scale-rayed Wrasse 
(Acantholabrus Couchii, Cuv. and Val. 13. 248), to which, as figured 
by Yarrell for the Labrus luscus, L. (a true Labrus, according to 
Valenciennes, ) I had formerly referred it. A still nearer ally ap- 
pears, however, to be Acantholabrus Palloni, Cuv. and Val. 13. 243 
(Crenilabrus exoletus, Risso, haud Labrus exoletus, L.). From this 
it differs in the extension up between each of the spines of the dorsal 
and anal fins of generally four of the large scales into a curious di- 
stinct and moveable imbricated appendage ; in the large dark spot or 
patch on the hinder end of the spiny portion of the dorsal fin; in 
having two dark spots on each side at the base of the caudal fin, one 
on the dorsal, and another fainter on the ventral line; and lastly in 
the general colour. In the first and last of these four points, it 
agrees better with Acantholabrus Couchii, Val. (Crenilabrus luscus, 
Yarr., Brit. Fish. 1. 300); but it differs in the other two, is only half 
the size, and whilst the dorsal and the anal fins have severally one 
spine less, the dorsal has one soft ray more. 


LLABRUS RETICULATUS. 
_ This fish cannot be at present safely referred to the Ballan Wrasse 
of British Authors (Labrus maculatus, Bl.), Yarr. 1. 275; although 


416 The Rev. R. T. Lowe on the Fishes of Madeira. 


in size and form of body, no less than in the peculiar lowness of the 
spiny portion of the dorsal fin, and abrupt production of the soft 
part of the same, and of the anal fin, as well as in the number of the 
rays of all the fins, there is a strong agreement. . It will, I think, 
however, ultimately prove merely a dark variety of that species. The 
colour is peculiarly sombre ; being a dark brown, approaching on the 
back almost to black; the whole beautifully reticulated with dark 
chesnut-brown lines, forming a border to each scale, and leaving the 
Centre pale. The preoperculum was scaly. A single individual 
occurred in March 1838, and measured sixteen inches in length. Its 
fin-formula was, 

4+14 V1. 
D.19+11; A.38 +9; P.14; Vel +5; C.34 Ta. 
This individual has been deposited in the Society’s collection. 


B.M.5. 


Juris MELANURA. J. oblongus, postice nigrescens : capite superne 
dorsoque olivaceo-fuscis : lateribus perpendiculate strigatis ; strigis 
posterioribus nigricantibus : pinne dorsalis antice altiores rudiis 
tribus primordialibus longioribus, operculique angulo lato truncato, 
basique primarum pectoralium ceruleo-nigrescente notatis : pinna 
dorsali analique fasciatis, basi nudis; caudali rotundato nigri- 
cante: squamis parvis: dente solitario majore ad canthum oris 
utrinque, antrorsum porrecto. 


D.9 +12; A.3 + 12; P.14v.15; V.14+5;C. 


Vert®. 25. 

Julis speciosa, nob. in Syn. Mad. Fish 186; haud Rissoi. 

, Cuv. and Val., Hist. 13. 375; quoad tantum ex- 
empla Canariensia, et forsan quidem Maderensia. 

On re-examination and a close comparison of this fish with MM. 
Cuvier and Valenciennes’ description of the true Mediterranean J. 
speciosa, of Risso, I find that it is properly distinct ; although a Ca- 
narian individual at least of it has been referred by Valenciennes, as 
the Maderan fish was formerly by me, to Risso’s species. It differs 
chiefly in the elevation of the three first rays of the dorsal fin, the 
spot on which is small, not large; in the deep blackness of the 
caudal fin and hinder part of the tail or body ; and, lastly, in being of 
considerably larger size (8-10 inches in length) than the true Medi- 
terranean J. speciosa, Riss. Not having met at present with any 
other fishes in Madeira which agree so nearly as J. melanura with 
that species, I cannot help suspecting that in M. Valenciennes’ Ma- 
deran specimens of his J. speciosa may exist the principal peculiari- 
ties which he has expressly noted in Mr. Webb’s Canarian example, 
and which are precisely those of Julis melunura. 


4+ VI. 


T4V1 ; M.B.6; 


The Rey. R. T. Lowe on the Fishes of Madeira. 417 


ACANTHOLABRUS ImBRICATUS. A, pinna dorsali analique basi squa- 
mosis; squamis subquaternis, bractearum modo imbricatis, inter 
spinas assurgentibus : dorsalis parte spinosa postice unimaculato : 
cauda utringue bimaculata: squamis magnis. 


D.204+9; A.5 +8; P13; Vil +5; C.o5 


+111; M.B. 5. 


Fam. FisrunaRiIp&. 


Cznrriscus Graciiis. C. corpore gracili, angusto, elliptico-oblongo, 
supra fusco, lateribus argenteis: rostro producto, elongato : 
pinne prime dorsalis, inter oculos pinnamque caudalem media, 
spina secunda mediocri, breviore, pinnam caudalem nequaquam at- 
tingente. 


yan 4 y. 6 288 YD. 11;°A.17; Vil +4: Peis eC. 


Rarior. 

In its shape and colour this is very obviously different from the 
common red Snipefish (C. Scolopar, L.). But I have not been able 
to assure myself that the above differences are not sexual. They are 
not certainly dependent upon size. The depth averages from one- 
fifth to one-sixth and a half of the whole length, instead of one- 
fourth of the same. In two individuals of the same length within 
one quarter of an inch, the depth of the larger (C. Scolopaz, L.) was 
very nearly double that of the smaller (C. gracilis, nob.) and the 2nd 
spine of the lst dorsal fin was respectively in each one-fourth and 
one-seventh of the whole length of the fish. ° 


t+1V 
7+V° 


Fam. Esocip2. 


BELoneE GRACILIs, nob.—‘‘ Catuta.”’ 

Early in March last year (1838) a fisherman brought alive in sea- 
water two fishes, which, in their slenderness, and the upper jaw being 
only half the length of the lower, differed obviously from the com- 
mon B. vulgaris. Measuring, however, seven or eight inches only 
in length, it seemed questionable, in the absence of equal-sized in- 
dividuals of B. vulgaris for comparison, whether they might not be 
the young of that species. My friends, however, the Rev. L. Jenyns 
and Mr. Yarrell, have examined these two individuals, and the latter 
warrants me in stating, on their joint authority, that these two fishes 
are “‘not, in their opinion, B. vulgaris,” being ‘‘ much more slender 
for the same or equal length.” 

Scomberesor Saurus, Cuv. 

The Portuguese name ‘‘ Delphine’ (rectius ‘‘ Delfim’’,) is errone- 
ously appended to this fish. Another individual has been lately 
brought to me with the name of ‘‘ Almeirao,”’ but the species is far 


418 The Rev. R. T. Lowe on the Fishes of Madeira. 


too rare to have obtained any permanent and genuine appellation in 
Madeira. 
Fam. SALMONID. 

ScoPpELUS MADERENSIS. 

A. small dark mulberry-coloured fish, which might easily be taken 
for the fry or young of Pomatomus telescopus, Risso. The dark vi- 
nous-coloured ground is concealed by very large deciduous platina- 
like scales. The only individual which has yet occurred was three 
inches long. It approaches very near to Sc. Humboldti, Risso, Hist. 
iii. 467. (supposed to be identical with Pennant’s Argentine, Yar. 11. 
94.), and has the row of longer silver dots, or pits, extending forwards 
from the root of the caudal fin along the ventral line : but it disagrees 
remarkably with the generic characters assigned to Scopelus by Cu- 
vier, R. An. 2nd Ed. ii. 314, in having both the palatines and tongue 
aculeate with teeth. 

_ The fin-formula in the Madeiran fish was 
Ist, D. 3 + 10; 2nd, D. 1 club- or feather-shaped ; 
eee re y 
6+1+ Vi 


A. 2+ 12; P.138; V.1+7;C. 


Gen. Auysia. 

Corpus subelongatum, compressum ; dorso postice ventreque spinoso- 
serratis. Rostrum brevissimum, ore rictuque magnis, hoc pone 
oculos diducto. Dentes minuti, tenues; in maxilla inferiore, Vo- 
mere, et Palatinis scobinati. Lingua postice lateribus subacu- 
leolata. | 

Squame magn, haud decidue, scabre ; squamis linez lateralis la- 
tissimis, maximis, scutellatis, s. per totam longitudinem loricato- 
imbricatis. 

Pinne ventrales sub apice pinnarum pectoralium site. Dorsales 
duz; prima inter Ventrales et Analem posita; 2% ad finem 
analis, rudimentali. Pinna caudalis minima, furcata. 


ALYSIA LORICATA. 

The spinoso-serrate ventral and hinder part of the dorsal lines, 
together with the peculiar scales of the lateral line, appear to forbid 
the blending of this interesting little fish with the Cuvierian genus 
Aulopus, as defined in the R. Anim., Ed. 2. ii. 315, though they have 
many characters incommon. ‘The Maderan fish is no less rare than 
elegant. It scarcely exceeds two inches in length. The back is a 
deep blue; the sides bright silvery or platina; and a row of dead- 
silver dots or pits extends along the ventral line, as in the Scopelus 
above described. The fin-formula is 


The Rev. R. 7. Lowe on the Fishes of Madeira. 419 


lst, D. 2+ 10; 2nd, D. rudimentary; A. 24+ 21 (+ 8 de- 
tached depressed points or spines); P. 15 or 16; V.1+5; 
C 4h 72. 

°3+1+4 VILL 


Fam. Gapip&. 


Macrourvus atTianticus.—‘ Praga’ or ‘ Lagartira do mar.”’— 
M. fusco-cinereus, dorso vinoso, gutturis umbilico pinnisque ven- 
tralibus atris : squamis areolato-scaberrimis, echinalatis, ecarina- 
tis, inermibus : oculis maximis. 


M. rupestris, nob. in Synops. Mad. Fish, p. 190, nec Bl. nec Cuv. 
et omiss. syn. Lepidoleprus celorhynchus, Risso. 

On further examination, this most singular fish appears to be quite 
distinct from M. rupestris, Bl. t. 177; and therefore, according to 
Cuvier (R. Anim. 2nd Ed. 11. 337, note,) from Lepidoleprus celo- 
rhynchus, Risso, through which indeed alone I had referred it to the 
northern fish described by Bloch. But besides the points included 
in the specific character, the first ray of the first dorsal fin is neither 
serrate nor stronger than the rest. The diameter of the eye is one 
twelfth or one thirteenth part of the whole length, which scarcely 
exceeds one foot. 


Fam. PLEvRONECTIDA. 


Ruomsus cristatus. Rk. corpore oblongo-elliptico: oculis ap- 
proximatis: dentibus tenuibus pectinatis ; in maxilla superiore 
uniseriatis ; in inferiore anguste scobinatis : pinne dorsalis dimidii 
anterioris radiis apice liberis ; primordialibus (2° 6™.) productis, 
elongatis : latere (sinistro) fusco, immaculato : squamis (haud de- 
ciduis) magnis, margine scabris. 

34 VI 


D. 92; A. 75; V.6;P.1+9;C. Sav" Rariss. 


The Whiff of British authors (R. megastoma, Yarr. 2. 251) appears 
the nearest ally of this apparently new species. Indeed, except for 
Mr. Yarrell’s more detailed account, I should have scarcely perhaps 
scrupled referring it to ‘‘ La Cardine ou Calimande” of Cuvier’s R. 
Anim. 2. 341, of which he says, ‘‘ ses premiers rayons sont libres” ; 
of course meaning of the dorsal fin. Nothing is, however, discern- 
ible of this in either Mr. Yarrell’s figure or description of “The 
Whiff”’ ; nor even, if correct, does it express sufficiently the peculi- 
arity of this part in the Maderan fish. The only individual which 
has yet occurred was five and a quarter inches long. 


Fam. CycLorrerip2&. 


43. LEPapoGasTER ZzEBRINUS.—‘‘ Chupa sangue.” L. fusco-nigres- 
cens, lateribus postice strigis obliquis, nuchaque fasciis diver- 


420 The Rey. R. T. Lowe on the Fishes of Madeira. 


gentibus saturatioribus maculisque binis ceruleis pyriformibus 
pictis: naribus biciliatis: pinnis dorsalibus analibusque caudali 
adnatis. 

D.17 v.16; A. 10v.9; P. 15 v.16; V5.4; CZ +X. Haud 
rara. 

In the double nasal cilia, and connexion of the caudal with the 
dorsal and anal fins, this little fish agrees with L. cornubicus (Flem.), 
Yarr. 2. 264. The structure of the sucking disk is also similar to 
the representation of the same part in that species, and not to that 
of the ‘‘ bimaculated Sucker,” at p. 268. In this particular it per- 
fectly agrees also with the former species indicated in my Synopsis, 
p- 190; which is, however, perfectly distinct specifically, having 
neither a nasal cilium nor the caudal fin united with the dorsal and 
anal fins. Of this last-mentioned species no second example has 
yet occurred. The present (L. zebrinus) is not by any means un- 
common. -It varies considerably in intensity of colour, and in the 
distinctness of the darker stripes upon the nape and flanks. The 
nasal cilia are of the general dark brown or blackish tint. 


Fam. EcHEenfip2. 


SS. Cauda lunata. 
Echeneis Remora, L. Syst. Ed. 12.—‘* Pegador.’”’ . tota cinereo- 
Suliginosa, nigrescens: laminis disci xvii. v. Xvill.; pinnis 
pectoralibus brevibus, ovatis, integris, apice rotundatis: lingua 


levi. 
.4+4+ VIII 
D.23; A.23; P.26; Vl +5; C.g-7 +077; M. B.9. Rarior, 


EcuHENEIS PALLIDA. LF. tota pallide cinerea, fuligineo hinc et hinc 
subnebulata: laminis xix.; pinnis pectoralibus brevibus, latis, 
apice rotundatis, subtruncatis, tenuiter crenulatis : lingua medio 


scobinata. 
D. 24; A.29; P.27; V.14+5;C.5—41-yaq7 s M.B. 9. Rariss. 


SS. Cauda integra, S. truncata. 


EcuENEIs sacopza.—JF. tota cinereo-fuliginosa, nigrescens : laminis 
xix.: pinnis pectoralibus brevibus, latis, pectinato-rotundatis cre- 


natis: ventre sulcato: lingua scabra. 
ye aks 
D. 24; A. 24; i 21 : Be 1 + 5; C. 3+ Vill? M.B.8. Rariss. 


EcuENEIS vittata.—J. purpureo-nigrescens, pallido variegata, fas- 
ciaque nigra longitudinali laterali, antice utringue albo margi- 
nata: pinnis pectoralibus ovatis, acutiusculis, integris; pinne 
dorsalis analisque antice caudalisque marginibus albis : laminis 
xxiv.: lingua scabra: oculis magnis: corpore elongato, postice 
valde attenuato, gracilt. 


The Rev. R. T. Lowe on the Fishes of Madeira. 421 


a i+ VL 
D. 39; A.39; P. 22; V.1 +°5; C. i+ vit" 


The nearest ally of this very distinct species appears to be EH. lu- 
nata. Bancr. in Zool. Journ. V. 413.t. 18. But this, besides other 
differences, has a lunate tail. 


Rariss. 


EcHENEIS BRACHYPTERA. (Echeneis ? Syn. p. 191.) E. cv- 
nereo-fuliginosa, nigrescens ; pinnis dorsalibus analibusque antice 
albo submarginatis : laminis xvi.: pinnis pectoralibus brevibus, 
latis, truncatis, integris : lingua medio scobinata. 


: a 3ve4+Vil, 
D. 28; A. 24; P. 26; V.1 + 5; C. 30.44 Vi—I' M. B. 8 


This is the first of the two species indicated by me in the former 
part of this List or Synopsis. Of the second sort, there mentioned 
as having been seen by Miss Young, and which I have there doubt- 
fully referred to H. naucrates, L., no fresh example has occurred. 
I should now be much inclined to consider it identical with E. vit- 
tata ; but Miss Young affirms that it was ‘‘ certainly plain-coloured.” 


Fam. Mur2nip2&. 


Sphagebranchus serpens. 

S. serpa, Risso, Hist. Nat. iii. 195. No. 81. 

A single individual only has occurred, precisely answering to the 
description above referred to. It measured eleven inches in length. 
I could not detect the slightest rudiment of pectoral fins. 


Fam. GyMNODONTID. 


Terropon capistratus. T. pusillus, oblongiusculus levissimus ; 
dorso iliisque inermibus, nudis ; ventre adpresso-spinelloso : dorso 
fusco; lateribus ochraceo-fulvis, fusco longitudinaliter bifas- 
ciatis, capiteque utrinque ceruleo punctatis, iliis oblique litura- 
tis, rostroque subproducto gulave semi-capistrato: pinna caudali 
utringue nigro-limbata. 


DS. Aa: b t6- Cas + VIII. Rariss. 


A most elegantly-coloured little species, which I cannot refer with 
certainty to any already described. Only two individuals have hi- 
therto occurred. The first was little more than two inches long ; 
the second nearly twice as large. 

The Orthagoriscus of Madeira, called by the fishermen, ‘ Peize 
Porco,’” or ‘‘ Bouto,” I forbear at present to designate further, not 
having seen a sufficient number of individuals to determine its cha- 
racters. The caudal fin is produced into a short point in the mid- 
dle, not truncate, as in all the figures to which I have access of the 
European Sun-fishes. 


422 ‘The Rev. R. 'T. Lowe on the Fishes of Madeira. 


Fam. S@uaLip&. 


Carcuanius Fraucipinnis. “ Faqueita.” C. corpore supra griseo- 
cinereo, subabbreviato, medio crassiore s. altiore, utringue atte- 
nuato: rostro brevi, lato, depresso, apice obtuso: oculis rotun- 
datis : pinna dorsal prima alta, triangulari, subantica s. supra 
medium pinnarum pectoralium posita: pinnis pectoralibus fal- 
catis, angustis, elongatis, apice obtusis: pinna dorsali secunda 
analique oppositis : ventralibusque parvis. Rariss. 

An Squalus ustus, Dum.? 

It is perhaps only for want of better materials for comparison that 

I have been unable to refer this Shark precisely to the above-indi- 
cated or to some other described species. It is about three feet long, 
and the female differs in nothing from the male. The teeth are 
precisely similar to those of the “‘ Tintureira’”’ (C. glaucus, Cuv.). 

The ‘‘ Marrazo” proves to be, as I suspected, Lamna coraubica, 


Cuv., adult, or of large size. 
Gen. ACANTHIDIUM. 

Corpus gracile, elongatum. Spiracula magna. Pinne dorsales 
duz, antice spiniferee; secunda majore postica, caude approximata. 
Pinna analis nulla. Pinne ventrales, subpostice s. secunda dorsalis 
subanteriores. 

Dentes utriusque maxille dispares, parvi: superioris laniarii, plano- 
triangulares, tenues, acuminati; acumine recto; basi utrinque den- 
ticulo aucto; antice triseriati, lateribus biseriati: inferioris incisorii, 
acumine utrinque a medio oblique deflexo, uni- vel bi-seriati. Cauda 
oblique oblonga, apice truncata. 

This new genus appears exactly intermediate between the esta- 
blished genera of Cuvier, Spinar and Centrina: agreeing with the 
former in its elongated form, and with the latter in the teeth. 

The ventral fins are placed more backward than in Spinaz, but rather 
forwarder than in Centrina, i.e. neither halfway between the two 
dorsal fins, nor opposite the second dorsal fin, but just before the 
second dorsal fin, which begins exactly opposite the termination of 
their base. The tail or caudal fin resembles that of Spinaz, rather 
than of Centrina, and the spines of both the dorsal fins are reflexed 
as in Spinaz, forming the fore-edge of each fin. The pectoral fins 
are abruptly truncate. The second dorsal fin is greatly larger than 
the first; in which it differs equally from Spinar and Centrina. 
The teeth are not arranged quincuncially, but behind each other in 


rows. . 
Two species have occurred, both of which have hitherto been con- 


founded with Centrina. 


The Rey. R. T. Lowe on the Fishes of Madeira. 423 


ACANTHIDIUM PuUsILLUM. ‘“ Gata negra.” A. totum atrum, 
pusillum: rostro crassiusculo: dentibus infertoribus uniseriatis : 
spiraculis oculo remotiusculis. f 


Centrina? nigra, nob. olim in Proceed. Zool. Soc. 1833, p. 144*. 
Syn. Mad. Fish in Trans. Zool. Soc. p. 194. Rariss. 

- Four individuals of this curious little shark have now occurred, 
agreeing equally in the foregoing characters and in their dimensions, 
varying in length only from eleven to twelve inches. The second 
dorsal fin is somewhat forwarder or more distant from the origin of 
the tail than in the next species. 

The condition of the teeth, and constancy of size, both indicate 
an adult fish; and a comparison of the present species with the 
foetal and adult state of the following, in these two points alone 
demonstrates Acanthidium pusillum to be no stage of A. calceus. 

ACANTHIDIUM caALcEUs. “ Sapata.” A. purpureo-fuscum, sub- 

tus pallidus: rostro plano-depresso: dentibus inferioribus 


biseriatis: spiraculis oculo, pinnaque dorsali secunda caude 
approximatis. 


Centrina Salviani, Syn. Mad. Fish in Trans. Zool. Soc. p. 194: 
nec aliorum. Rarior. 

This shark very much resembles in its general aspect Scymnus 
niceensis, Risso, the ‘ Gata’ of Madeira: but is at once distinguished 
by the spines in front of the two dorsal fins, which, as in A. pusil- 
lum, are both recurved, and ought, had I attended to the excellent 
figures copied by Willoughby from Salviana of Centrina nigra, Cuv., 
instead of allowing myself to be deceived by a miserable figure of 
Lacepéde’s, alone to have preserved me from the blunder of referring 
to that species for the present shark, the usual size of which exceeds 
by a few inches only three feet. 


Fam. Rar. 

Raia oxyrhynchus, Will., Ichth. p. 71.—‘‘ Raia.” 

Sharp-nosed Ray, Penn., Ed. 1. iti. 83. No. 31. Yarr., Brit. 
Fish, ii. 424. 

Two male individuals only have occurred: the largest, measuring 
three feet in width from wing to wing, was furnished on the. back 
with patches of strong hooked spines or prickles, much as in the 
figure in the British Fishes ; but the second example, scarcely two 

* A serious erratum has been caused here by the transposition of a sen- 
tence. The paragraph referred to should stand thus: ‘“ It (Centrina? 
nigra) is intermediate in characters between Centrina, Cuv., and Acanthias, 


Risso, having the teeth of the former genus as well as the backward posi- 


tion of the second dorsal (rectius ventral) fin, and the form of body of the 
latter.’” 


424  - Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 


feet wide, although decidedly a male, was devoid of these append- 
ages. The colour of the upper surface was a pale, dull, yellowish, 
or ashy-grey, obscurely mottled or dappled with a few scattered di- 
stant paler whitish spots. 

TrycGon aLTaveLa.—‘‘ Andorinha do mar.” T. corpore rhom- 

boideo, duplo latiore quam longo, alis expansis, cauda perbrevi. 

Pastinaca marina altera rreputAareta, Altavela Neapoli dicta Colum- 
ne. Will., Hist. 65. Tab. C. 1. f.3. (Copied from F. Columna.)— 
Rariss. 

A single female individual only has occurred, measuring five feet 
and a half from tip to tip of wings. 


LII.—Jnformation respecting Botanical Travellers. 


Extracts from a Journal of the Mission which visited Bootan, in 
1837-38, under Captain R. Bortzeau Pemperton. By W. Grir- 
riTtH, Esq. Madras Medical Establishment*. 


Tur Mission left Gowahatti on the 21st December, and proceeded 
a few miles down the Burrumpootur to Ameengoung, where it halted. 

On the following day it proceeded to Hayoo, a distance of thirteen 
miles. The road, for the most part, passed through extensive grassy 
plains, diversified here and there with low rather barren hills, and 
varied in many places by cultivation, especially of sursoo. One river 
was forded, and several villages passed. 

Hayoo is a picturesque place, and one of considerable local note ; 
it boasts of a large establishment of priests, with their usual com- 
panions, dancing girls, whose qualifications are celebrated through- 
out all Lower Assam. The village is a large one, and situated close 
to some low hills; it has the usual Bengal appearance, the houses 
being surrounded by trees, such as betel palms, peepul, banyan, and 
caoutchouc. ‘To Nolbharee we found the distance to be nearly 
seventeen miles. The country throughout the first part of the march 
was uncultivated, and entirely occupied by the usual coarse grasses; 
the remainder was one sheet of paddy cultivation, interrupted only 
by topes of bamboos, in which the villagers are entirely concealed ; 
we found these very abundant, but small: betel palms continued 
very frequent, and each garden or enclosure was surrounded by a 
small species of screw pine, well adapted for making fences. 

Four or five streams were crossed, of which two were not ford- 
able: jheels were very abundant, and well stocked with water fowl 


* From the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, No. 87, p. 208. 


Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 425 


and waders. At this place there is a small bungalow for the accom- 
modation of the civil officer during his annual visit ; it is situated 
close to a rather broad but shallow river. There is likewise a bund 
road. 

We proceeded from this place to Dum-Dumma, which is on the 
Bootan boundary, and is distant ten miles from Nolbharee. We 
continued through a very open country, but generally less cultivated 
than that about Nolbharee; villages continued numerous as far as 
Dum-Dumma. 

December 31st. We left for Hazareegoung, an Assamese village 
within the Bootan boundary. 

We passed through a much less cultivated country, the face of 
which was overrun with coarse grassy vegetation. No attempts 
appeared ‘to be made to keep the paths clean, and the farther we 
penetrated within the boundary, the more marked were the effects 
of bad government. We crossed a small and rapid stream, with a 
pebbly bed, the first indication of approaching the Hills we had as 
yet met with. 

We left on January 2d for Ghoorgoung, a small village eight 
miles from Hazareegoung; similar high plains and grassy tracts, 
almost unvaried by any cultivation, were crossed ; a short distance 
from the village we crossed the Mutanga, a river of some size and 
great violence during the rains, but in January reduced to a dry 
bouldery bed. There is no cultivation about Ghoorgoung, which is 
close to the Hills, between which and the village there is a gentle 
slope covered with fine sward. 

‘We entered the Hills on the 3d, and marched to Dewangari, a 
distance of eight miles. On starting we proceeded to the Durunga 
Nuddee, which makes its exit from the Hills about one mile to the 
west of Ghoorgoung, and then entered the Hills by ascending its 
bed, and we continued doing so for some time, until in fact we came 
to the foot of the steep ascent that led us to Dewangari. ‘The road 
was a good deal obstructed by boulders, but the torrent contains at 
this season very little water. 

The mountains forming the sides of the ravine are very steep, in 
many cases precipitous, but not of any great height. They are 
generally well-wooded, but never to such a degree as occurs on 
most other portions of the mountainous barriers of Assam. At the 
- height of about 1000 feet we passed a choky, occupied by a few 
Booteas, and this was the only sign of habitation that occurred. 

Dewangari, the temples of which are visible from the plains of 
Assam, is situated on a ridge, elevated about 2100 feet above the 

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. 4. No. 26. Fed. 1840. 2H 


426 Inforination respecting Botanical Travellers. 


level of the sea, and 1950 above that of the plains. The village 
extends some distance along the ridge, as well as a little way down 
its northern face. The centre of the ridge is kept as a sort of arena 
for manly exercises ; about this space there occur some picturesque 
simool trees, and a few fig trees, among which is the banyan. 

During our long stay at this place we had many opportunities of 
forming acquaintance with the Soobah, as well as with the imme- 
diately adjoining part of his district. We found this almost uncul- 
tivated, and overrun with jungle. No large paths were seen to point 
out that there are many villages near Dewangari; in fact the only 
two which bear marks of frequent communication, are that by which 
we ascended, and one which runs eastward to a picturesque village 
about half a mile distant, and which also leads to the plains. 

The Soobah we found to be a gentlemanly unassuming man; he 
received us in avery friendly manner and with some state; the room. 
was decently ornamented, and set off in particular by some well- 
executed Chinese religious figures, the chief of which we were told 
represented the Dhurma Rajah, whose presence even as a carved 
block was supposed to give infallibility. We were besides regaled 
with blasts of music. His house was the most picturesque one that 
I saw, and had some resemblance, particularly at a distance, to the 
representations of some Swiss cottages. It was comparatively small, 
but as he was of inferior rank, his house was of inferior size. 

The population of the place must be considerable; it was during 
our stay much increased by the Kampa people, who were assembling 
here prior to proceeding to Hazoo. Most of the inhabitants are 
pure Booteas; many of them were fine specimens of human build, 
certainly the finest I saw in Bootan: they were, strange to say, in 
all cases civil and obliging. Cattle were tolerably abundant, and 
principally of that species known in Assam by the name of Mithans; 
they were taken tolerable care of, and picketed in the village at 
night: some, and particularly the bulls, were very fine, and very 
gentle. Ponies and mules were not uncommon, but not of extraor- 
dinary merits. Pigs and fowls were abundant. The chief commu- 
nication with the plains is carried on by their Assamese subjects, 
who are almost entirely Kucharees: they bring up rice and putrid 
dried fish, and return with bundles of manjistha. 

On the 23rd, after taking a farewell of the Soobah, who gave us 
the Dhurma’s blessing, and as usual decorated us with scarfs, we left 
for Rydang, the halting-house between Dewangari and Khegumpa, 
and distant eight miles from the former place. We reached it late 
in the evening, as we did not start until after noon. We first de- 


Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 427 


scended to the Deo-Nuddee, which is 800 or 900 feet below the 
village, and which runs at the bottom of the ravine, of which the 
Dewangari ridge forms the southern side, and we continued as- 
cending its bed, almost entirely throughout the march. The river 
is of moderate size, scarcely fordable however in the rains; it 
abounds with the fish known to the Assamese by the name of Book- 
har, and which are found throughout the mountain streams of the 
boundaries of the province. 

24th. Left for Khegumpa. ‘The march was almost entirely an un- 
interrupted ascent, at least until we had reached 7000 feet, so that 
the actual height ascended amounted nearly to 5000 feet. It com- 
menced at first over sparingly wooded grassy hills, until an elevation 
of about 4000 feet was attained, when the vegetation began to 
change ; rhododendrons, and some other plants of the same natural 
family making their appearance. Having reached the elevation of 
7000 feet by steep and rugged paths, we continued along ridges well 
clothed with trees, literally covered with pendulous mosses and 
lichens, the whole vegetation being extra-tropical. At one time we 
wound round a huge eminence, the bluff and bare head of which 
towered several hundred feet above us, by a narrow rocky path or 
ledge overhanging deep precipices ; and thence we proceeded nearly 
at the same level along beautiful paths, through fine oak woods, until 
we reached Khegumpa; the distance to which, although only eleven 
miles, took us the whole day to perform. 

This march was a beautiful, as well as an interesting one, owing 
to the changes that occurred in the vegetation. It was likewise so 
varied, that although at a most unfavourable season of the year, I 
gathered no fewer than 130 species in flower or fruit. Rhododen- 
drons of other species than that previously mentioned, oaks, chesnuts, 
maples, violets, primroses, &c. &c. occurred. We did not pass any 
villages, nor did we meet with any signs of habitation, excepting a 
few pilgrims proceeding to Hazoo. 

Khegumpa itself is a small village on an exposed site; it does not 
contain more than twelve houses, and the only large one, which as 
usual belonged to a Sam Gooroo, appeared to be in a ruinous state. 
The elevation is nearly 7000 feet. The whole place bore a wintery 
aspect, the vegetation being entirely northern, and almost all the 
trees having lost their leaves. ‘The cold was considerable, although 
the thermometer did not fall below 46°. The scarlet tree rhododen- 
dron was common, and the first fir tree occurred in the form of a 
solitary specimen of Pinus excelsa. In the small gardens attached to 
some of the houses I remarked vestiges of the cultivation of tobacco 

2H 2 


428 Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 


and Probosa*. In the valleys however surrounding this place there 
seemed to be a good deal of cultivation, of what nature distance pre- 
vented me from ascertaining. 

25th. Left for Sasee. We commenced by descending gradually 
until we had passed through a forest of oaks, resembling much our 
well-known English oak; then the descent became steep, and con- 
tinued so for some time; we then commenced winding round spurs 
clothed with humid and sub-tropical vegetation ; continuing at the 
same elevation we subsequently came on dry open ridges, covered 
with rhododendrons. The descent recommenced on our reaching a 
small temple, about which the long-leaved fir was plentiful, and con- 
tinued without interruption until we reached a small torrent. Cross- 
ing this, we again ascended slightly to descend to the Dimree river, 
one of considerable size, but fordable. The ascent recommenced im- 
mediately, and continued uninterruptedly at first through tropical 
vegetation, then through open rhododendron and fir woods, until we 
came close upon Sasee, to which place we descended very slightly. 
This march occupied us the whole day. After leaving the neigh- 
bourhood of Khegumpa we saw no signs of cultivation; the country, 
except in some places, was arid; coarse grasses, long-leaved firs, 
and rhododendrons forming the predominating vegetation. We 
halted at Sasee, which is a ruined village, until the 28th. The little 
cultivation that exists about it is of barley, buckwheat, and hemp. 

28th. We commenced our march by descending steeply and un- 
interruptedly to the bed of the Geeri, a small torrent, along which 
we found the vegetation to be tropical ; ascending thence about 5000 
feet, we descended again to the torrent, up the bed of which we pro- 
ceeded for perhaps a mile; the ascent then again commenced, and 
continued until we reached Bulphai. ‘The path was generally nar- 
row, running over the flank of a mountain whose surface was much 
decomposed ; it was of such a nature that a slip of any sort would in 
many places have precipitated one several hundred feet. The face 
of the country was very barren, the trees consisting chiefly of firs 
and rhododendrons, both generally in a stunted state. The vege- 
tation was not interesting until we came on a level with Bulphai, 
when we came on oaks and some other very northern plants. We 
were well accommodated in this village, which is a very small one, 
situated in a somewhat sheltered place, and elevated to 6800 feet 
above the sea. The surrounding mountains are very barren on their 
southern faces, while on the northern, or sheltered side, very fine 


* Eleusine coracana. 


Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 429 


oak woods occur. ‘The houses were of a better order than those at 
Sasee, and altogether superior to those of Khegumpa. They are co- 
vered in with split bamboos, which are secured by rattans, a pre- 
caution rendered necessary by the great violence of the winds, which 
at this season blow from the south or south-east. Bulphai is a bit- 
terly cold place in the winter, and there is scarcely any mode of esca- 
ping from its searching winds. The vegetation is altogether north- 
ern, the woods consisting principally of a picturesque oak, scarcely 
ever found under an elevation of 6000 feet. There is one small patch 
of cultivation, thinly occupied by abortive turnips or radishes, and 
miserable barley. It was at this place that we first heard the very 
peculiar crow of true Bootan cocks, most of which are afflicted with 
enormous corns. 

On the 31st we resumed our journey, ascending at first a ridge 
to the N.E. of Bulphai, until we reached a pagoda, the elevation of 
which proved to be nearly 8000 feet; and still above this rose to 
the height of about 10,000 feet a bold rounded summit, covered with 
brown and low grass. Skirting this at about the same level as the 
pagoda, we came on open downs, on which small dells, tenanted by 
well-defined oak woods, were scattered. After crossing these 
downs, which were of inconsiderable extent, we began to descend, 
and continued doing so until we came to Roongdoong. About a 
third of the way down we passed a village containing about twenty 
houses, with the usual appendage of Sam Gooroo’s residence ; and 
still lower we came upon a picturesque temple, over which a beau- 
tiful weeping cypress hung its branches. We likewise passed below 
this a large temple raised on a square terrace basement. From this 
the descent is very steep, until a small stream is reached, from which 
we ascended very slightly to the castle of Roongdoong, in the loftiest 
part of which we took up our quarters. From the time that we de- 
scended after crossing the downs, the country had rather an improved 
aspect, some cultivation being visible here and there. We meta 
good many Kampas, pilgrims, and one chowry-tailed cow, laden with 
rock salt, which appears to be the most frequent burden. 


[To be continued. ] 


Mr. Schomburgk’s recent Expedition in Guiana. 
[ Continued from p. 328. ] 
Wuen marching early in a morning over the savannahs, and on ap- 


proaching an Indian settlement, we frequently observed on the small 
sandy footpath a number of marks, which a hasty observer would 


430 Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 


have pronounced to be the prints of dogs’ feet. The Indian_.is better 
acquainted with them ; they are a sure proof that a pack of Carasissi 
paid the preceding night a visit to the hen-roost at the next Molocca 
or Indian village; and on entering it, the long faces of the squaws, 
‘and their vociferous gesticulations, spoke volumes of the depreda- 
tions which these night robbers had committed among the feathered 
stock. 

The Carasissi or Savannah dog, as it is called. by the colonists, is 
the only animal allied to. the dogs found in Guiana. It does not at- 
tain the size of the fox, but is of a stronger make than that animal, 
and has a shorter tail and more obtuse muzzle. In the form of the 
head and position of the eyes, it approaches more nearly to the dogs, 
and, in fact, appears to be intermediate between them and the foxes; 
and while these refuse to mix together, the Carasissi is much sought 
after by the Indians to make a cross breed with their dogs. There 
are few of these animals in the neighbourhood of the sea-coast, or in 
the cultivated part of Guiana; but on the savannahs they are found 
hunting in large packs. They pursue their prey principally by the 
eye, but in thick woods they follow it by the scent. During our 
expedition up the river Berbice, some of our hunters met with a pack 
of Carasissis ; and they succeeded in securing one alive, but not ha- 
ving tied it sufficiently it gnawed its ropes and escaped. While we 
sojourned in Pirara, one was shot in the act of committing depreda- 
tions among the poultry. It measured 2 feet 2 inches from the 
snout to the insertion of the tail, the latter being 103 inches in 
length. The breast and belly were of a dusky white, the other parts 
of a deep buff colour, with the exception of the muzzle and the ears, 
which were dark, approaching almost to black. The tail was not so 
bushy as that of the fox, nor was it so long. They carry their ears 
erect. 

They vie in cunning and art with the European fox, and the de- 
predations which they commit on the hen-roosts are considerable. 
Their favourite haunts are thickets near open savannahs, and if a 
pack succeed in entering the village and in surprising the Indians’ 
poultry, few escape, as they completely surround the roosting-place, 
and generally carry off their spoil before the inhabitants have any 
idea of their presence. I have been assured by the Indians that they 
soon run down deer, and pursue their game under full cry. They de- 
stroy in other ways large quantities of game. 

I bought in the commencement of November a young one, which 
I considered about three weeks old. Its fur was darker than that of 
the adult ; we fed it on boiled yams, ripe plantains, meat, and fish. 


Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 431 


It appeared chiefly fond of plantains, and would follow those who fed 
and nursed it like a dog. When incensed it growled like a puppy, 
but when in pain or tired of walking it would raise its voice to a 
harsh grating tone. They seldom lose, even when domesticated, 
their depredatory habits, and those Indians who raise them for the 
sake of procuring a cross breed with the dog, are obliged to keep 
them tied, as otherwise they would kill all the fowls and parrots*. 
It is called by the Macusis Marxane, in Warrau Wanityov. 

The variety which has sprung from the breed between the Indian 
domestic dog and the Carasissi more resembles the dog, its body is 
however longer in proportion to its size, and its ears are pricked up. 
Their progeny become prolific. They are hardy, and many of them 
prove excellent hunters ; they are therefore very much prized by the 
Indians, who pay great attention to their training.} — 

These extensive savannahs are likewise the favourite haunt of the 
Brown Coati (Nasua fusca) of the colonists, or Quasy and Kibihi of 
the natives of Guiana. They measure about 18 inches, and the tail, 
which is nearly the same length, is always carried erect. It is brown, 
brightening to a rust colour on the belly and breast ; the tail brown, 
with rings of black ; the snout long and moveable; the canine teeth 
strong and hooked ; legs short, the hind a little longer than the fore 
ones; the feet long; it walks always upon its heels like the bears, 
frequently standing upon its hind legs. 

They live in large societies, and know how to defend themselves 
bravely if attacked by dogs; indeed they fall often en masse upon 
them and kill the assailants. They are excellent climbers; and in 


'® The Carasissi is Desmarest’s Canis cancrivorus, of which he gives the 
following description, communicated to me since writing the above by Mr. 
Waterhouse : 

Canis cancrivorus, Desmarest. 


“« Pélage cendré et varié de noir en dessus, parties inférieures d’un blanc- 
jaunatre; oreilles brunes; cétés du cou derriére les oreilles, fauves; tarses 
et bout de la queue noiratres. 

Pieds. Pouces. 


Longueur du corps ....... sd eases parks aicbat's 2 
Longueur de la quevie . ......sccccsessescees 8 


Il fait sa proie des Agoutis et des Paca, &c. et il mange aussi des fruits, tels 
que ceux du bois rouge. II va par petites troupes de dix ou sept individues, 

Patrie. La Guyane Frangaise.” 

+ A good dog of that description which is trained to hunt deer, tapir, wild 
hogs, paca or laba, &c. generally fetches a price of from ten to twelve pounds 
sterling: the dogs imported from Europe suffer much from the effects of the 
climate, and some kinds, as greyhounds, foxhounds, spaniels, pointers, 
cockerels, &c. seldom thrive. ‘Terriers and bull-dogs appear to accustom 
themselves earlier to the climate. 


432 Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 


descending a tree they always come down head foremost. Their food 
consists of insects, fruits, roots and such small prey as they are able 
to secure. They are destructive to young birds, and expert in dig- 
ging after large beetles, for which their claws, which are very strong, 
are admirably adapted. They do not burrow in the ground for a re- 
sidence. 

A friend of mine in Berbice possessed a brown Coati which was 
domesticated. In its disposition it was extremely mild, and very fond 
of being caressed; it was sometimes induced to play, although it evi- 
dently preferred passing the greater part of the day asleep, rolling it- 
self up inalump. When receiving its food it sat apparently with 
great ease on its hinder legs, and thrusting its nails into the food, 
it carried it in this position with both its paws to the mouth. It 
possessed the peculiarity of gnawing on its own tail, which organ 
bore the marks of this strange propensity. Its smell was strong and 
disagreeable, and would have deterred many from keeping such an 
animal in their house. 

Although it seemed generally to derive great pleasure from being 
stroked down the back, when it received these caresses from its 
master it would turn over, and return with its paws these caresses 
or thrust its long muzzle under the sleeve, uttering at the same time 
a soft and gentle cry. Ifa cat or a dog approached it, the soft cry 
would change to a shrill sound. 

While travelling over the savannahs we have frequently met them 
at broad daylight, and I recollect once a chase ensued that was highly 
characteristic. ‘The instant poor Quasy perceived itself pursued it 
made for the high grass, where no doubt it would have been able to 
hide itself, if its tail, which it carried erect, did not point out its 
situation. We found the single dog in our company unable to con- 
tend with it, the Indians assisted therefore to dislodge it from the 
retreat which the high grass partially afforded. The Coati now made for 
the open savannah, the Indians following the harassed animal shout- 
ing, the dog barking: it chose a path embarrassed with thorns and 
briars, and took to the swampy ground below the stately Mauritius 
palms ; but this was of no avail, its pursuers not being deterred ; like 
a hare it doubled back to the spot grown over with high grass, 
where it vainly sought for protection. Its strength being exhausted, 
it was soon seized by its long tail by one of the Indians; but even 
here it defended itself with desperate obstinacy; the Indian was 
obliged to loose his hold, and a new scuffle arose : wherever it turned 
it met an enemy ; beaten with bows and long poles, fired at with ar- 

rows, 


Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 433 


rows, worried by the dog, it at last expired ; but I have seldom seen 
such tenacity of life evinced as in this small animal. 

Naturalists differ whether Nasua fusca and rufa are distinct in 
species or mere variations in colour. I must confess that I have seen 
every variety of shade in the brown species, and a change in the co- 
lour of the fur takes place at the setting in of the rainy season in 
May, when they are generally darker. Nevertheless the Indians 
have told me of a black species, which they say is to be found in the 
land of the Waccawai Indians, who inhabit the banks of the Maza- 
rung. I have never had the fortune to meet with it ; however I pos- 
sess the following note from Mr. Vieth, who, as already observed, 
accompanied me during my late expeditions :— 

“ T have seen only one specimen, which was brought by Macusis, 
who came from the Essequibo by land over to the Demerara river. 
It was a size larger than the largest brown coati I have seen, and of 
a shining black, with the exception of the tail, which was ringed 
with white. In its habits and proportions it resembled exactly the 
brown coati.”’ 

The geographical range of the Nasua fusca extends over Guiana, 
and is to be met with as well at the coast regions as at the plains of 
the interior; and since we know that it inhabits Brazil likewise, its 
distribution appears of great extent. 

Although the Racoon is not an animal which inhabits the savan- 
nahs*, its relation to the preceding genus induces me to give now 
the few particulars which I know about its habits. It frequents the 
sea coast, and is generally found in the neighbourhood of inhabited 
spots, where it is destructive to poultry. Itis about 2 feet long and 
9 inches high; the head is large, snout full and thick, the ears 
of a moderate length; the nose is rather short, and more pointed 
than that of a fox ; indeed its head reminds me of that of the hyzena. 
The fore feet are shorter than the hinder, the five claws sharp, strong, 
and with them and its teeth, which resemble those of a dog, it makes 
a vigorous resistance or attacks its prey with success. Its hair is 
long and shaggy, but very short upon the legs from the knee down- 
wards ; the colour of its fur is a light brown, the legs black, the tail 
thick, tapering towards a point and marked with black rings. 

Among the favourite haunts of these animals are the thickets of 
Curida bushes (Avicennia tomentosa), which extend along the sea 
coast, where they feed upon crabs which they are expert in killing, 


* It appears entirely local to the sea coast; the Macusi Indians do not 
know the animal. The Warrans from the Corentyn call it Oghia. 


Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.4. No. 27. Suppl. Feb.1840. 21 


434. Bibliographical Notices. 


first tearing off their claws or nippers ; and being thus disabled from 
doing harm, the crab dog or racoon uses its sharp teeth to break the 
shell. In their native state they sleep by day, and issue at dusk in 
search of food; birds, insects, roots, and vegetables, nothing comes 
amiss ; and as they possess a particular fondness for sweets, I have 
been told by practical planters that the injury which they do to sugar 
plantations is very considerable. 

They take their food with both paws like the squirrel, a are 
fond of dipping it in water. I have noted with astonishment that 
they drink as well by lapping like the dog as by sucking. I have 
had several in a domesticated state, all of which possessed this pe- 
culiarity. 

They are very active ; their sharp claws enable them to climb trees 
with great agility, and to leap with security from branch to branch. 
When on the ground they move forward by bounding, and in an ob- 
lique direction ; nevertheless they are swift enough, and rarely fall a 
prey to their pursuers. 

They are easily domesticated when taken young, and are then 
harmless and amusing, but our endeavours to accustom two adults 
which we had secured to a domesticated state proved entirely vain. 
We were obliged to keep them chained ; they refused apparently to 
eat or drink, and died the first two weeks after we had entrapped 
them. 

I have been told of a second species, but neither Mr. Vieth nor 
myself have ever met with it, nor have I been able to ascertain in 
what its distinguishing characters consist. 


[To be continued. ] 


BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


Etudes de Micromammalogie. Revue des Musaraignes, des Rats et des 
Campagnols, suivie d'un Index méthodique des Mammiferes d’ Europe. 
Par Edm. De Selys-Longchamps, Membre de plusieurs Sociétés 
savantes. Paris, 1839. 8vo. pp. 165. pls. 3. 


We deem it very desirable that this little work should be brought 
under the notice of our readers, as well on account of its intrinsic 
merits, as on that of its relating to certain groups which have re- 
cently attracted much attention in this country. It is also one of 
that class of books written exclusively for the benefit of the working 
naturalists, which of all others, in our opinion, tend most to the ad- 


Bibliographical Notices. 435 


vancement of zoology. Its author is already known to the public by 
a small brochure published a few years back on the Arvicole of the 
neighbourhood of Liége*. In the work now under review, he has 
revised and described all the known species belonging to the three 
genera of Sorex, Mus, and Arvicola inhabiting Europe; and he has 
taken great pains in the investigation of their synonyms, and in the 
endeavour to fix their respective characters with certainty and pre- 
cision, besides giving ample notices of all that had been observed re- 
specting their habits and places of abode. As these genera belong 
to, or almost form in themselves, three distinct families of Mammalia, 
and two out of the three belong even to different orders, it is clear 
that they could not be collected into one group, established upon 
‘their mutual affinities, and offering any characters by which they 
might be distinguished in common from the rest of the class. It is 
this circumstance which has led M. De Selys-Longchamps to adopt 
as a title to his work the term ‘ Etudes de Micromammalogie ;’ in- 
dicating simply the study of the Cheiroptera, Insectivora, and Roden- 
tia, or the three orders of Mammalia embracing the smallest species 
in the class, and none of which exceed a moderate size: and he dis- 
claims all idea of attaching any further importance to this term, or 
of wishing it to be accepted rigorously, as implying a distinct branch 
of Mammalogy. With regard to the particular genera selected for 
illustration in this work, it is observed that they are those least un- 
derstood and most numerous in species; and that the greater part 
of the other Rodentia may be found in the works of Pallas, Desmarest, 
Fred. Cuvier, and De Blainville. We much regret, however, that the 
Cheiroptera are not included, owing, it is alleged, to the author’s 
not having been able to see himself all the described species, which 
he considers indispensable to enable him to proceed with his task 
surely. The reason is a good one; and it may serve to impress us 
with a sense of the caution which he has used in endeavouring to 
elucidate those groups, monographs of which are now submitted to 
the public. 

That he might profit from what has been accomplished by others 
on the same subject, M. De Selys-Longchamps has visited a large 
number of museums in France, Italy, Switzerland, and Germany. He 
has also been in correspondence with all the principal naturalists 
whose names have been associated with any of the groups here 
treated of. With many of them he has effected an interchange of 
specimens ; and by these means he has been enabled to identify such 

* Essai Monographique sur les Campagnols des Environs de Liége. Liége, 
1836. 8yo, pp. 15. 4 planches coloriées. 

212 


436 Bibliographical Notices. 


species as had been described from time to time, to compare them 
with each other, and to determine which were to be considered as 
true species, and which as varieties: 

In the arrangement of the Soricide, which form the first division 
of his work, M. De Selys-Longchamps has for the most part followed 
Wagler, having only altered the value of the groups established by 
that author. Thus he considers the entire family as divisible into 
the two genera of Sorex and Crocidura. In the former he includes 
Sorex and Crossopus of Wagler, here considered only as subgenera, 
from their having many characters in common, in the ears, in the 
colouring of the teeth, and in the fur and tail, and from the number 
of the small lateral incisors not being esteemed a sufficient ground to 
warrant a generic separation. The genus Crocidura comprises the 
two subgenera of Pachyura and Crocidura, the former of which is 
established here for the first time, for the reception of the Sorex 
Etrusca of Savi, together with those foreign species having one more 
lateral incisor above than the true Crocidure as restricted by our 
author. It may be useful to those naturalists who are more familiar 
with Duvernoy’s arrangement of this family than Wagler’s, to state 
that the subgenus Sorex of this work answers to Amphisorexr of Du- 
vernoy’s last memoir, Crossopus to Hydrosorer of the same author, 
and Crocidura to Sorex ; the characters of which it is not necessary 
to repeat here, as they have been already brought under the notice 
of the English reader in a former number of this Magazine*. The 
relative value, however, of these groups will be made more clear 
when exhibited in the following manner; and it may be desirable to 
annex to each the included species. 


Gen. 1. SOREX, Liv. 


ve 

“ 

Subgen. 1. Sorex, Wagl. Subgen. 2. Crossopus, Wagl. 
Sp. 1. tetragonurus, Herm. Sp. 4. fodiens, Pall. 
2. pygmeus, Laxm. 5. ciliatus, Sow. 


3. alpinus, Schinz. 


Gen. 2. CROCIDURA, Wact. 
I 


Subgen. 1. Pacnyura, De Selys. Subgen. 2. Crocipura, Wag. 
Sp. 1. Etrusca, Bonap. Sp. 2. Aranea, De Selys. 
(Sorex Etr. Savi.) (Sor: Aran. Auct.) 
3. Leucodon, Wagl. 


* Ann. of Nat. Hist. vol. i. pp. 422 and 424. 


Bibliographical Notices. 437 


"The species here indicated are nearly identical with those adopted 
by Nathusius*; and it is satisfactory to find two authors, who ap- 
pear to have bestowed equal pains upon the subject, agree in their 
estimation of what are to be considered good species in a group, 
which, almost as much as any that can be mentioned, abounds in 
spurious ones. M. De Selys-Longchamps has announced the fact 
that there are more than eighteen names to choose out of for the 
common water-shrew ; and Nathusius has annexed nearly two-thirds 
that number of synonyms to the S. tetragonurus! The only respects 
in which the list of species in this work differs from that of Nathu- 
sius, are the adoption of the S. alpinus of Schinz, which Nathusius 
does not appear to have personally examined, and the S. ciliatus of 
Sowerby. With regard to this last, however, it is justly observed, 
that there are many specimens apparently so intermediate between 
it and S. fodiens, that the two may yet prove to be varieties of one 
species, as Nathusius seems to have considered them. 

As for the species described for the first time by Mr. Jenyns in 
former numbers of this Magazine, M. De Selys-Longchamps, not 
having seen them before the publication of his work, has placed them 
in an Appendix, in which he has presented in a tabular form the 
distinguishing characters of S. tetragonurus, S. rusticus, and S. 
castaneus, as Mr. Jenyns has stated them. At the same time he 
observes that those of the S. rusticus appear very marked, and apply 
well to a small shrew found by himself in one instance in the pro- 
vince of Liége, and which he had previously considered as a young 
S. tetragonurus. He has made a similar observation with respect 
to the S. Jabiosus of Jenyns, the characters of which he briefly no- 
tices, adding that it agrees well with an individual seen by him at 
Francfort-on-Main, obtained by Dr. Cretschmar ; though, without an 
opportunity of inspecting recent individuals, he does not venture to 
introduce it as an authentic species. Since the publication of his 
book, M. De Selys-Longchamps has visited this country, when Mr. 
Jenyns’s species were submitted to his examination. He still de- 
clined offering any decided opinion about the S. /abiosus and the S. 
castaneus ; but he expressed himself quite satisfied, that the small 
shrew found in Ireland, considered by Mr. Jenyns as a variety of his 
S. rusticus, was perfectly distinct from the S. tetragonurust. 


* Wiegmann’s Archiv fiir Naturgeschichte, 1838, p. 45. 

+ The name of Hibernicus will hardly be appropriate for this species, as 
it has been found in several parts of England also; but if it be proved, as 
Mr. Jenyns suspects will eventually be the case, to be not specifically distinct 
from the shrew which he originally called rusticus, it may be retained under 
this last name, without having recourse to any newone. Mr. Jenyns will, 
before long, probably offer some remarks on this point. 


438 Bibliographical Notices. 


The second portion of M. De Selys-Longchamps’ work treats of 
the European species of Mus, L., which are all retained under one 
genus, admitting, however, of two sectional divisions as follows : 

I. Omnivorous ; ears oblong, naked: containing six species, viz. 
M. decumanus, Pall.; M. Alexandrinus, Geoff.; M. Rattus, Lin. ; 
M. Musculus, Lin.; M. Islandicus, Thienem.; M. sylvaticus, Lin. 

II. Granivorous ; ears rounded, hairy : containing two species, 
viz. M. agrarius, Pall., and M. minutus, Pall. The former of these 
is stated to be at the limits of the two groups, having the general 
form of M. sylvaticus, with the ears of the second group. 

To the above, another section is prefixed, containing what he 
terms Rats échimoides, or those species the fur of which is mixed up 
with sharp prickly hairs, as in the genus Echimys. This group, how- 
ever, is entirely exotic, inhabiting the intertropical countries of Asia 
and Africa. 

It is not pretended that these divisions are capable of such strict 
definition as to be applied rigorously, but it is thought that they are 
sufficiently natural, taking them in the whole, without going into 
details. 

With regard to the species of this genus, the author observes, that 
they have been much less confused than those of Arvicolu and Sorez, 
if exception be made of the M. minutus (the Harvest Mouse of En- 
glish authors), the synonymy of which we think he has sufficiently 
cleared up. As for the others, it is principally in relation to their 
habitats and their diagnostic characters that he has found any oc- 
casion for making new remarks. The M. Alexandrinus, first described 
by Geoffroy St. Hilaire in the great work on Egypt, is here consi- 
dered to be the same as the M. Tectorum of Savi and the Prince of 
Musignano, although regarded as distinct by the two authors just 
mentioned. M. De Selys-Longchamps has pointed out the insuffi- 
ciency of those characters which have been resorted to as grounds for 
separating them. The M. Hibernicus of Thompson, he has noticed in 
an appendix along with two Sicilian species discovered and described 
by Rafinesque, the M. frugivorus and the M. Dichrurus, concerning 
none of which he offers any opinion, as they have not fallen under 
his own observation. At the same time, in reference to the first, he 
states, that if the colour of the fur is constant, and especially if the 
difference in the length of the ears between it and the M. Rattus is 
not caused by the way in which the animal is prepared, he should 
be tempted to admit it as a species. In another place he suggests, 
whether it may not be a hybrid between the M. Rattus and the M. 
decumanus. He adds, however, that this is not likely. 

The genus Arvicola, which forms the subject of the third mono- 


Bibliographical Notices. 439 


graph in this work, is a more extensive group than either of the two 
already treated of. It consists of eleven European species, of which 
no less than four appear to have been first discovered or described by 
M. De Selys-Longchamps himself. They are all arranged under two 
sections, each of which is further divided into two others. 

I. The first section consists of those species which have the ex- 
~ ternal ears shorter than the fur, often almost none at all: eyes very 
small. 

This section comprises the two subordinate groups of (1.) Cam- 
pagnols aquatiques (Hemiotomys, De Selys,) including A. ampl- 
bius, Lacep.; A. monticola, De Selys; A. destructor, Savi, and 
A. terrestris, Savi: and (2.) Campagnols Lemmings (Micrortus, 
De Selys,) including the A. fulvus of Desmarest, and the A. Savii 
of De Selys. 

II. The second section consists of those species which have the 
external ears as long as the fur and well developed ; eyes varying, often 
prominent. 

This section is subdivided into the two groups of (1.) Campagnols 
proprement dits (Arvicota,) including the A. subterraneus, De Selys ; 
A. arvalis, Lacep.; A. socialis, Desm.; A. duodecim-costatus, De 
Selys: and (2.) Campagnols murins (Myonxs, De Selys), which last 
group is instituted for the reception of the A. rubidus, De Selys (the 
A. riparia of Yarrell), which is stated, on the authority of Nathusius, 
to have the molar teeth with fangs in the adult state, a character 
wherein it differs from all the other species of the genus. 

M. De Selys-Longchamps states that the genus Mynomes of Rafi- 
nesque forms a third section characterized by its scaly tail. It is not 
his intention, however, to raise any of these sections to the rank of 
a genus ora subgenus. He observes that they all pass into each other 
by insensible differences in the length of the tail and ears; and in 
regard to the character derived from the fangs of the teeth, that it 
probably exists more or less in other species. And in imposing Latin 
names on these groups, taken from among the synonyms of the ge- 
nus, his only object has been to give foreigners an idea of the differ- 
ent names which he has used in French. 

It has been already stated that four of the above species were first 
discovered or described by M. De Selys-Longchamps himself. These 
are the A. monticola, the A. Savii, the A. subterraneus, and the A. 
duodecim-costatus ; and it may be useful to repeat here their respect- 
ive characters, as they are probably not much known to the natu- 
ralists of this country, although three of these species have already 
appeared in the ‘ Revue Zoologique,’ and the fourth has been de- 


440 _ Bibliographical Notices. 


scribed as well as figured in the author’s brochure on the Arvicole of 
Liége. They are as follows : 

1. A. monticola. Size of the A. amphibius. Tail pale ash, a little 
shorter than half the length of the body : fur yellowish grey, mixt with 
pale yellowish at the sides, whitish ash beneath and on the feet. (13 
pairs of ribs?) 

Inhabits the Pyrenees. 

2. A. Savii. Size of the A.arvalis. External ears a little hairy, 
much shorter than the fur: tail a little shorter than one-third of the 
body ; of two colours, brownish above, whitish beneath: fur brown- 
grey above, ash colour beneath: feet pale ash. (14 pairs of ribs.) 

_ Inhabits Tuscany, Lombardy, and probably all Italy. 

3. A.subterraneus. Size a little larger than that of the A. arvalis. 
Ears a little shorter, of the length of the fur, nearly naked ; eyes very 
small ; tail one third the length of the body, of two colours, blackish 
above, white beneath : fur blackish grey above, ash-colour or whitish 
on the abdomen only : feet deepash. (18 pairs of ribs.) 

Inhabits Belgium, French Flanders, and the environs of Paris, but 
no other parts of Europe, unless it be the Mus agrestis of Linné, in 
which case it is found also in Sweden*. 

4. A. duodecim-costatus. Size of the A. arvalis. Tail a little longer 
than one third of the body. Twelve pairs of ribs : six lumbar vertebre. 
PPE sax 

Inhabits the South of France and the frontiers of Switzerland, but 
supposed to be very rare. No skin of it exists, and only the osteo- 
logy of itis known. ‘The 12 pairs of ribs distinguish it from every 
other species excepting the A. socialis, and from this it may be known 
by its longer tail, and by having 6 instead of 5 lumbar vertebre. 

The A. destructor is a species found in Italy, which appears to 
have been recognised by M. De Selys-Longchamps and M. Savi 
nearly about the same time. It was originally described by the 
former in the ‘ Revue Zoologique,’ under the name of A. Musignani, 
but this name is exchanged here for destructor out of courtesy to 
M. Savi, who had previously thus designated it. It is closely allied 
to the A. amphibius, from which it may be known by a difference in 
the fur, which much resembles that of the Mus decumanus, and by the 
nearly uniform whitish-ash colour of the under parts. But its great 
peculiarity resides in the form of the cranium, which is said to be 
quite different from that of its congeners. This part is represented, 


* This species was first characterized by M. Baillon in 1834, under the 
name of Lemmus pratensis, but it had been discovered by M. De Selys- 
Longchamps as long previously as 1831. 


Bibliographical Notices. 44] 


along with the crania of several other species of Arvicole, in three 
plates which accompany the present work. 

The A. terrestris is the A. argentoratensis of Desmarest and Les- 
son. It is not the A. terrestris of the ‘ Fauna Italica,’ this last being 
the same as the A. destructor mentioned above. 

To each of the three monographs in this work is annexed a tabular 
arrangement of the dimensions of all the species contained in the 
respective genera. And in the case of the Arvicole, there are added 
two other tables ; one exhibiting the relative characters of the crania 
in the different species, the other the number of the ribs and ver- 
tebree. 

The work concludes with a complete list of all the Mammalia 
hitherto discovered in Europe, amounting to 188 species, exclusively 
of those which have been introduced by man, and which are only 
domesticated. 

We have dwelt the longer on this work in the hope that it may 
stimulate naturalists to making further researches in our own country. 
Notwithstanding the labours of M. De Selys-Longchamps, and the 
pains which he has taken in the monographs above noticed, we are 
satisfied that the subject is not yet exhausted. There are several 
species in the three genera of Sorex, Mus, and Arvicola which re- 
quire further investigation, and doubtless some which remain yet to 
be discovered. The British Shrews are not entirely cleared up. We 
have also more than once had submitted to our examination speci- 
mens of a mouse from the tops of the Irish mountains, closely allied 
to the M. sylvaticus, but apparently offering some differences: un- 
fortunately they were not in a sufficiently good state of preservation 
to allow of any decided opinion respecting them. We may further 
add that it appears doubtful whether we have not in our museums 
two species of Arvicola confounded under the name of A. agrestis or 
arvalis, one of which is the true A. arvalis of M. De Selys-Long- 
champs, but the other so far distinct as not to have been immediately 
recognised by this naturalist when specimens were submitted to his 
view during his recent visit to this country. Ireland again seems to 
possess a species of this genus which it is likely will be found differ- 
ent from all those hitherto recorded as natives of Great Britain. But 
further remarks on some of these points will probably be brought 
under the notice of our readers before long. 


442 Zoological Society. 
PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. 


ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
February 26, 1839.—The Rev. F. W. Hope, in the Chair. 

Mr. Fraser exhibited a new species of Corythair, which he pro- 
ceeded to characterize as follows : 

CoryTHAIX MACRORHYNCHUS. Cor. rostro pregrandi aurantiaco, 
ad basin sanguineo ; capite, cristd, collo pectoreque viridibus ; 
cristd ad apicem albd, et purpureo notata ; lined alba infra oculos 
excurrente ; dorso alisque metallicé purpureis ; primariis san- 
guineis nigro marginatis ; caudd superné metallice viride ; femo- 
ribus cauddque subtus nigris ; tarsis nigris. 

Long. tot. 14 poll.; rostri, 14; ale, 6; caude, 6; tarsi, 14. 

Hab. ? 

This species of Corythaix lived for some time in the Society’s 
Menagerie, having been purchased from a dealer who was unac- 
quainted with its locality. 

Compared with the known species of the genus, it approaches 
most nearly to the Corythaiz Persa of authors, but from this it may 
readily be distinguished by its smaller size ; and the form, compara- 
tively large size, and colouring of the beak. The colouring of the 
plumage also differs in some respects : like C. Persa, the head, neck, 
and breast are green, but the feathers on these parts are of a deeper 
hue than in that species; the feathers of the crest, instead of being 
simply tipped with white, having a white transverse line near the 
apex, but at the apex they are purple-black. Minute black feathers 
encircle the eye, and a white stripe extends from beneath the eye 
on to the ear. The beak is much arched above, and somewhat in- 
flated at the base; the nostrils are very large, and not hidden, as in 
C. Persa, by the decumbent feathers, these extending only to the 
posterior angle of the nostril. The upper mandible is of a bright 
yellow colour, excepting all that portion which lies below and be- 
hind the nostrils, which is of a brilliant red colour; the lower man- 
dible is of the same red tint, but tipped with yellow. Both mandi- 
bles present simple sharp-cutting edges, in this respect exhibiting a 
different structure from that observable in the allied species, C. Persa 
and C. Buffonii, in which the mandibles have their cutting edges 
serrated. ‘The back and upper surface of the wings are of a deep 
purple-blue tint, exhibiting in certain parts greenish reflections. 
The primaries (with the exception of the first quill) and the second- 
aries (with the exception of the three or four innermost quills) are 
red, margined with black ; the shafts of these feathers are also black. 
The outer primary is black, and the two or three following feathers 
are broadly margined externally with the same colour. All the 
wing feathers are black at the base; on the outermost feathers the 


Zoological Society. 443 


black colouring occupies but little space, but in each successive 
feather it increases in extent. ‘The feathers of the tail are of a very 
dark green colour above, inclining to black ; beneath they are black, 
but exhibit indistinct purple reflections. ‘The rump, upper and un- 
der tail coverts, thighs, and vent are black, obscurely tinted with 
purple or green in parts. The tarsi are black. ‘The eyes are hazel, 
and the naked, or almost naked, space around the eye, is of a crimson 
colour; not carunculated, as in C. Buffonii and C. leucotis. 

A highly-interesting and valuable series of specimens of the Paper 
Nautilus (Argonauta Argo), consisting of the animals and their 
shells of various sizes, of ova in various stages of development, 
and of fractured shells in different stages of reparation, were ex- 
hibited and commented on by Professor Owen, to whom they had 
been transmitted for that purpose by Madame Jeanette Power, 
Mr. Owen stated that these specimens formed part of a large collec- 
tion, illustrative of the natural history of the Argonaut, and bearing 
especially on the long-debated question of the right of the Cepha- 
lopod inhabiting the Argonaut shell to be considered as the true 
fabricator of that shell. 

This collection was formed by Madame Power in Sicily in the 
year 1838, during which period she was engaged in repeating her 
experiments and observations on the Argonaut, having then full 
cognizance of the nature of the little parasite (Hectocotylus, Cuv.), 
which had misled her in regard to the development of the Argonaut 
in a previous suite of experiments described by her in the Transac- 
tions of the Gizenian Academy for 1836. 

As this mistake had been somewhat illogically dwelt on, to depre- 
ciate the value of other observations detailed in Madame Power’s 
Memoir, Mr. Owen observed, that it was highly satisfactory to 
find that the most important of the statements in that memoir had 
been subsequently repeated and confirmed by an able French mala- 
cologist, M. Sander Rang. 

The collection of Argonauts, —Cephalopods and shells,—preserved 
in spirits, included twenty specimens, at different periods of growth, 
the smallest having a shell weighing not more than one grain and 
a half, the remainder increasing, by small gradations, to the com- 
mon-sized mature individual. 

The inductions, which the present collection of Argonauts of 
different ages and sizes legitimately sustained, were in exact ac- 
cordance with Madame Power’s belief that the Cephalopod was the 
true constructor of the shell, while no contradictory inference had 
been, or could be, deduced from an examination of the specimens 
themselves. 


444 Zoological Society. 


With reference to the second suite of specimens, viz. the ova of 
the Argonaut in different stages of development, Mr. Owen entered 
into a detailed account of the new and interesting facts which they 
revealed. In the ova most advanced, the distinction of head and 
body was established; the pigment of the eyes, the ink in the ink- 
bladder, the pigmental spots on the skin, were distinctly developed ; 
the siphon, the beak,—which was colourless and almost transparent, 
—and the arms were also discernible by a low microscopic power; 
the arms were short and simple; the secreting membranes of the 
shell were not developed, and of the shell itself there was no trace. 

Mr. Owen then recapitulated as follows, the evidence, which, in- 
dependently of any preconceived theory or statement, could be de- 
duced from the admirable collection of Argonauta Argo due to the 
labours of the accomplished lady who had contributed so materially 
to the elucidation of a problem which had divided the zoological 
world from the time of Aristotle. : 

Ist. The Cephalopod of the Argonaut constantly maintains the 
same relative position in its shell. 

2nd. The young Cephalopod manifests the same concordance 
between the form of its body and that of the shell, and the same per- 
fect adaptation of the one to the other, as do the young of other 
testaceous Mollusks. 

8rd. The young Cephalopod entirely fills the cavity of its shell: 
the fundus of the sac begins to be withdrawn from the apex of the 
shell only when the ovarium begins to enlarge under the sexual 
stimulus. 

4th. The shell of the Argonaut corresponds in size with that of its 
inhabitant, whatever be the differences in the latter in that respect. 
(‘The observations of Poli, of Prevost, and myself, on a series of 
Argonauta rufa, before cited, are to the same effect.’’) 

5th. The shell of the Argonaut possesses all the requisite flexibi- 
lity and elasticity which the mechanism of respiration and locomo- 
tion in the inhabitant requires: it is also permeable to light. 

6th. The Cephalopod inhabiting the Argonaut repairs the frac- 
tures of its shell with a material having the same chemical compo- 
sition as the original shell, and differing in mechanical properties 
only in being a little more opake. | 

7th. The repairing material is laid on from without the shell, as 
it should be according to the theory of the function of the mem- 
branous arms as calcifying organs. 

8th. When the embryo of the Argonaut has reached an advanced 
stage of development in ovo, neither the membranous arms nor shell 


are developed. 


Zoological Society. 445 


9th. The shell of the Argonaut does not present any distinctly 
defined nucleus. 

Mr. Owen finally proceeded to consider the validity of the best 
and latest arguments advanced in favour of the parasitism of the 
Cephalopod of the Argonaut. 

Finally, Mr. Owen proceeded to state in detail the points which 
still remained to be elucidated in the natural history of this most in- 
teresting Mollusk. Among other experiments he suggested that 
the young Argonaut should be deprived of one of the velated arms, 
and preserved in a marine vivarium, with the view to determine the 
influence which such mutilation might have on the future growth of 
the shell: but in proposing further experiments, and while admitting 
that the period of the first formation of the shell yet remained to be: 
determined, Mr. Owen stated that he regarded the facts already as- 
certained to be decisive in proof that the Cephalopod of the Argonaut 
was the true fabricator of its shell. 

March 12. The notice of M. Temminck’s letter, and the second 
part of Dr. Cantor’s paper, read this day, have been inserted above, 
pp. 273. 341. 

April 9, 1839.—The Rev. F. W. Hope, in the Chair. 

A collection of beautifully finished drawings of Tasmanian Fishes 
was exhibited to the Members present, these drawings having been 
sent to the Society by Dr. Lhotsky for that purpose. In a letter 
accompanying these drawings, Dr. Lhotsky stated that they had all 
been executed, under his own superintendence, from fresh specimens. 

A new species of Hamster was exhibited by Mr. Waterhouse, and 
characterized as follows: 

Cricetus auratus. Cri. aureo-fuscescens, subtis albidus : pilis 


mollissimis, supra ad basin plumbeis, subtis ad basin cinereis : 
auribus mediocribus, rotundis : caudd brevissimd pilis albis obsitd. 


unc. lin. 
Longitudo ab apice rostri ad caude basin .. 7 6 
PONE ey SN eS aT eee 0 5 
ab apice rostriad basinauris .... Il 6 
tarsi digitorumque.... . 604 essres 0 10 
he de NOs OE a a Q 7 


Hab. Aleppo. 
** This species is less than the common Hamster (Cricetus vul- 


garis), and is remarkable for its deep golden yellow colouring. The 
fur is moderately long and very soft, and has a silk-like gloss: the 
deep golden yellow colouring extends over the upper parts and sides 
of the head and body, and also over the outer side of the limbs : on 
the back, the hairs are brownish at the tip, hence in this part the 
fur assumes a deeper hue than on the sides of the body : the sides 


446 Zoological Society. 


of the muzzle, throat, and under parts of the body are white, but 
faintly tinted with yellow: on the back, and sides of the body, all 
the hairs are of a deep gray or lead colour at the base ; and on the 
under parts of the body, the hairs are indistinctly tinted with gray 
at the base. The feet and tail are white. The ears are of moderate 
size, furnished externally with deep golden-coloured hairs, and in- 
ternally with whitish hairs. The moustaches consist of black and 
white hairs intermixed. 

« The skull, when compared with that of Cricetus vulgaris, differs 
in not having the anterior root of the zygomatic arch produced an- 
teriorly in the form of a thin plate, which in that animal, as in the 
Rats, serves to protect an opening which is connected with the nasal 
cavity: the facial portion of the skull is proportionately longer and 
narrower: in size there is much difference, the skull of Cricetus au- 
ratus being one inch and six lines in length, and ten lines in breadth, 
measuring from the outer side of the zygomatic arches.” 


April 23, 1839.—William H. Lloyd, Esq., in the Chair. 

A letter was read from Dr. Weissenborn, dated Weimar, Febru- 
ary 19, 1839. It accompanied a female specimen of the Hamster 
(Cricetus vulgaris), which he begged to present to the Society, and 
related to some longitudinal, naked (or nearly naked) marks which 

are observable on the hips of that animal, 

These marks, Dr. Weissenborn states, are found in every Ham- 
ster, though usually hidden by the long fur which surrounds them, 
and the common opinion of the furriers (who have to cut them out 
and to repiece the skin) is, that they arise from friction. Being 
situated over the hip-bones, and therefore more exposed than 
other parts, the hair is worn whilst the animal is moving in its bur- 
row. ‘This is the opinion also of the earlier authors, but ‘is, how- 
ever, erroneous, as remarked already by Dr. Sulzer, in his valuable 
monograph on this species, published at Gotha in 1774. These 
spots are visible the very moment the hair begins to grow, in the 
naked young, and they are the very places where the growth of the 
hair becomes first apparent. At this early stage of the animal’s life, 
they appear on the inner side of the skin, when viewed by trans- 
mitted or reflected light, as two dark spots. When all the hair is 
developed the case is reversed, and these spots appear paler than the 
rest of the skin. Dr. Sulzer confesses himself to be quite ignorant 
of the part which these peculiar spots act in the ceconomy of the 
animal, and no subsequent author has explained the subject. I 
imagine no person, after Sulzer, has turned his attention seriously 
to it, but it is to be wondered that he was not more successful, being 


Zoological Society. 447 


an accurate and clever observer. ‘The reason why the Hamster is 
furnished with these spots appears to me very far from being myste- 
rious, and had the cause not been mistaken for the effect, I think 
anybody might have hit upon the idea, that nature had made the 
short, stiff, and closely adpressed hairs, to grow upon these spots of 
the Hamster’s body, which are most exposed to friction, and at the 
same time contiguous to bone, that the hair and the skin might be 
competent to stand the wear and tear to which they necessarily are 
subjected in the narrow burrow of an animal, which is very brisk 
in its movements; and no doubt the skin, which gives rise to a dif- 
ferent kind of hair, is of a different structure from the rest ; and as 
this hair is more stiff, the skin which it covers is probably more 
callous. 

“‘ In the present state of the science of physiology, it may be im- 
possible to state with sufficient precision the conditions on which the 
peculiar structure of the skin and hair, in these particular spots, de- 
pends. The relation in which the latter stand to the hip-bones by 
peculiar tissues may perhaps help to explain the circumstance, as | 
the neighbourhood of, and connexion with, bony structures, have 
an evident influence on the nature of the skin and its productions.” 

Mr. Waterhouse remarked, that the description which Dr. Weis- 
senborn had given of the peculiar spots on the hips of the Hamster, 
caused him to suspect that they were glands, analogous to those ob- 
servable in the Shrews, and might help the animals to distinguish 
each other in their dark burrows. 

Mr. Waterhouse exhibited two specimens of a species of Lark 
from China, which had recently died in the Society’s Menagerie, 
having been presented to the Society by J. R. Reeves, Esq. It was 
characterized as follows : 

ALAUDA SINENSIS. Al, supra rufo-fusca, subtis alba, fascid lata 
pectorali nigrd ; lined sordide alba ab oculis, ad occiput extensd ; 
fronte, nuchd, et humeris castaneis ; remigibus primariis nigris, 
marginibus externis angusté fuscescenti-albis, remige primo illo 
externe marginato ; caudd nigrd, rectrice utringue externd albd, 


ad basin nigro lavatd, proximd utrinque albo-marginatd ; rectri- 
cibus intermediis duabus fuscescentibus. 


Long. tot. 8 unc. ; rostri, 2; ale, 5; caude, 31; tarsi, 10 lin. 
Hab. apud Sinam. 


The Chinese Lark very much resembles, and is nearly allied to, 
the Alanda Calandra of authors, but differs in the following parti- 
culars. ‘The beak is more compressed, and the upper mandible has 
two longitudinal grooves on each side, the upper one of which gives 
a keel-like edge to the culmen ; the tail is proportionately longer, 
the tarsi are shorter ; the feet are smaller, and the hinder claws, in- 


448 Zoological Society. 


stead of being bent downwards, are slightly recurved*. In the co- 
louring there are also points of distinction: in lieu of the dull brown 
tint on the top of the head and back, the present species possesses 
rich rufous brown feathers. In one specimen the body is yellowish 
white beneath, but in the other it is pure white. 

Mr. Waterhouse then proceeded to make some observations upon 
a series of skulls of Rodents which were upon the table. These 
skulls belonged chiefly to species of the various genera contained in 
the families Chinchillide (consisting of the genera Chinchilla, Lagotis, 
and Lagostomus), and Caviide—composed of the genera Cavia, Ke- 
rodon, Dolichotis, and Hydrocherus. Numerous points of resem- 
blance between these two families were dwelt upon, more particu- 
larly in the structure of the teeth, the form of the palate, the con- 
tracted glenoid cavity, the form of the lower jaw, and direction of 
the lower pair of incisors. The Caviide, however, possess certain 
characters, independent of those observable in the form of the teeth, 
which renders it easy to distinguish them from the Chinchillide. He 
alluded especially to the shortness of the condyloid process of the 
lower jaw, the forward position of the coronoid process, the peculiar 
projecting ridge on the outer side of the horizontal ramus, and the 
form of the descending ramus or angle of the jaw; this projects con- 
siderably beyond the line of the coronoid process, whereas in the 
Chinchillide it terminates in a line with the posterior portion of the 
coronoid process, or projects but slightly beyond that line. 

Among the Chinchillide, the Lagostomus trichodactylus, observes 
Mr. Waterhouse, approaches most nearly to the Cavies, the angle 
of the lower jaw being less acute and the coronoid process more for- 
ward than in the other species. 

In the imperfect state of the palate, the narrowness of the ante- 
rior and posterior sphenoids, the form of the occipital condyles, the 
form of the articular portion of the lower jaw, and the almost hori- 
zontal direction of the incisors of the lower jaw of the Chinchillas 
and Cavies, Mr. Waterhouse stated he had found characters which 
induced him to place those animals next before the Leporide. 


May 14. Mr. Cunningham’s account of the Apteryx, and Mr. 
Hope’s Monograph of Euchlora, have been inserted above, pp.312.342. 
May 28.—William Ogilby, Esq. in the Chair. 

A paper from the Rev. R. T. Lowe was read, entitled ‘‘ A Supple- 
ment to the Synopsis of the Fishes of Madeira,” inserted above, p. 405. 


* « This difference in the form of the claw cannot be depended on, as the 
birds have been for some time in confinement; they may originally have 
been straight, but I think they never could have been curved downwards.” 


Zoological Society. 449 


June 11.—William Yarrell, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair. 

Mr. Bucknell exhibited his Hccaleobion, or machine for hatching 
eggs; and having broken eggs in every stage of incubation, explained 
the nature and incidents of the process. Mr. Bucknell stated that 
the period of incubation in the common fowl, which was, on an ayer- 
age, 21 days, sometimes varied from 18 to 24 days, and that he at- 
tributed this variation to the mode of keeping, and previous treat- 
ment, by which the embryo was injured, either from the heat of the 
weather, exposure to variety of temperature, jolting in carriage, &c. 
The young bird was occasionally known to emit a faint chirp even 
so long as 24 hours before being excluded; and he believed that if this 
noise was heard on the 18th day the chickens would probably appear 
on the 19th. From this and other circumstances, such as the common 
mode of preparing eggs by varnishing, &c., the porosity of the shell, 
and other similar causes, he concluded that the small globule of air 
constantly found in eggs, and which he had observed to increase ac- 
cording to the age of the egg, was produced by the air penetrating 
the substance of the shell and its lining membrane. 

The average number of malformations, according to Mr. Buck- 
nell’s experience, was not more than five in a thousand; though in 
Egypt, it was stated, that malformations were extremely common in 
the artificial process of incubation. He attributed this circumstance to 
an excess of heat, and generally found it to affect the toes and ex-. 
tremities ; sometimes also the muscles of the neck. 

A general conversation afterwards took place on this subject, 
during which much interesting and valuable information was ex- 
tracted, with regard to the period and circumstances of the incuba- 
tion. 


A letter from H. Cuming, Esq., Corr. Memb., dated Manilla, No- 
vember 18, 1837, was read. ‘This letter stated that Mr. Cuming had 
forwarded a collection containing 395 birds and 12 quadrupeds, 
from the southern part of the Island of Luzon. 

Mr. Cuming states that quadrupeds are scarce in the Philippine 
Islands, and that he has been able to procure all the species known 
excepting three, two of which are Deer, and the third is a species of 
Buffalo, of small size, with straight and sharply-pointed horns. 
This last animal Mr. Ogilby stated was most probably the Anoa de- 
pressicornis. 


Mr. Ogilby exhibited the skull of an Elk from Nova Scotia, brought 
over by Dr. Cox, and remarkable for its great size as compared — 
the dimensions of the horns. 


Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.4. No.27. Suppl. Feb. 1840. 2x 


450 Zoological Society. 


Mr. Ogilby also called the attention of the meeting to a collection 
of skins from Sierra Leone, exhibited by Mr. Garnett. Among 
others were three of the Chimpanzee, apparently adult, but too much 
mutilated to admit of obtaining the dimensions ; two of Colobus ur- 
sinus, one of which had the tail of a rusty white colour, instead of 
the pure white which generally characterizes the species; and one 
of a species of Cat, which Mr. Ogilby believed to be undescribed, 
and for which he proposed the name of 

Fetis Servatina. F. supra fulva, maculis nigris, minutis, copio- 
sissimis ; subtis albida ; caudd brevissimd. 

‘«<This species appears to be about the size of the common Serval, 
but differs from that animal in having a shorter tail, and in the very 
numerous and minute black spots which are scattered over the shoul- 
ders, back, and flanks. It is only on the thighs and arms that the 
spots become large and distinct; there they are less numerous, and 
resemble those of Felis Serval. ‘The head and fore part of shoul- 
ders are entirely free from spots; the median line of the back is of a 
deeper fawn than the rest of the body, the minute spots having a 
particular tendency to run into lines; the belly is of a dirty white 
colour, with large brown blotches, and the tail does not exceed the 
length of the same organ in the lynxes. This character is alone 
sufficient to distinguish the present species from all the other African 
cats with which I am acquainted. The mutilated condition of the 
skin unfortunately prevents me from describing the characters of 
the ears, legs, feet, and under parts of the body.” 


SOE sisi gh Sha 8g 5S ie CRA ale WL Ak ee 
Length of the tail 
As regards the species of Colobus, Mr. Ogilby observed, that from 

information communicated by M. Temminck, he was now convinced 
that it was identical with the Colobus polycomos of Pennant. 


Mr. P. Buckley Williams exhibited various specimens of White- 
Bait (Clupea alba, Yarrell,) from the Dovey and some other rivers 
of North Wales, and stated that the common belief, that this was 
confined to the Thames, was now proved to be erroneous, not only 
from the facts now stated, but likewise from their abundance in the 
river Forth of Scotland, as shown by Dr. Parnell. 


June 25, 1839.—Dr. Bostock in the Chair. 


Dr. Richardson read his account of an interesting collection of 
Fish formed at Port Arthur in Van Diemen’s Land, by T. J. Lem- 
priere, Esq., Deputy Assistant Commissary General, by directions 


Ft. . In. 
Length of the skin from the muzzle to the root of eu 2 10 
0 8 


ceoeeerereertreevreer es ee eoweereevese eee 


Zoological Society. 451 


from His Excellency Sir John Franklin, K.C.B., Lieutenant Govern- 
or, and now deposited in the museum of the Royal Naval Hospital 
at Haslar. The collection contains about thirty species, and the, 
paper, which embraces only a part, gives detailed descriptions and 
anatomical notices of these, several of them being also illustrated 
by very elaborate drawings, executed by Mr. Charles M. Curtis with 
his wonted fidelity. The following species are included in the pre- 
sent paper, the others being reserved for a future communication. 


1. Szrranvs Rasor. Ser. mawillis valdé squamosis, apicibus ra- 
diorum pectoralium fasciculatis, compressis, lanceolatis ; pinnis 
omnibus prater ventrales sqyuamosis ; radits aculeatis pinne dorsi 
subequalibus ; fascid oculum cingenti ceruled per lineam latera- 
lem producta. 

Radii:—Br.7—7; P.13; V.1,5; D.10,21; A.3,9; C. 154. 

The Serranus Rasor, or Tasmanian barber, is a beautiful fish belong- 

ing to that group of Serrani which was named Anthias by Bloch, 
none of which had previously been described as inhabitants of the 
Australian seas. It agrees with the barber-fish of the Caribbean 
seas in having no elongated dorsal rays, and may be distinguished 
readily from all the known Serrani by the peculiar form of its pec- 
toral rays, whose numerous branchlets are so graduated and closely 
approximated as to give a flat lanceolate shape to the tip of each 
ray. The general colour of the fish is reddish brown, with umber- 
brown spots, a dark patch beneath the end of the pectorals, a bright 
blue stripe crossing the anterior suborbitar, encircling the eye, and 
running along the lateral line to the caudal fin. There are also 
thirteen or fourteen narrower blue streaks on the lower part of the 
flanks and tail. The fins are lake-red, and are all, except the ven- 
trals, more or less scaly. 

2. CenTropristis Satar. Cent. operculo suboperculoque squa- 
mosis ; interoperculo seminudo; preoperculo subdenticulato ; 
pinnis dorsi anique in fossis receptis. 


Radu :—Br. 7—7; P. 16; D. 9,16; V.1,5; A. 3,10; C. 173. 

This species is known locally as the salmon, and differs from 
C. truttaceus, as described in the Histoire des Poissons, in the distri- 
bution of the scales on the gill-covers, and in some other minute 
particulars. Truttaceus is said to have the interoperculum and sub- 
operculum entirely naked, and only a few scales on the operculum 
itself (‘‘ quelques écailles sur sa surface’). In C. salar there are 
five rows of pretty large scales on the operculum, one row on the 
suboperculum, covering surfaces of both these bones, and a row of 
smaller scales on the interoperculum, clothing its Be a's half only. 

2K 2 


452 Zoological Society. 


As these scales are very easily detached, and the gill-plates remain 
hard and silvery, after they are removed with the epidermis, it must 
be difficult to distinguish an injured specimen from truttaceus ; whose 
description in other respects exactly accords with salar, except that 
the latter has the suborbitar very faintly denticulated, and two rays 
fewer in the soft dorsal. 

3. APLODACTYLUS ARCTIDENS. Aplo. dentibus oris tricuspidatis, 
superioribus in serie octuplici, inferioribus in serie quintuplici 
dispositis ; cecis pylori quatuor. 

| Radi :—Br. 6—6; P.9 e 6; V. 1,5; D. 16—1,17; A. 3, 8; 
C. 164. 

_ This species differs from A. punctatus of the Chilian seas (the only 
species previously known) in its dentition, but resembles it so much 
in external form, colours, and markings, as well as in anatomical 
structure, that it cannot be placed in a separate genus. In the 
Histoire des Poissons the teeth of dentatus are described as follows : 
“« Les dents sont disposées sur trois rangées a la machoire supérieure 
et sur deux a Tinférieure: elles sont aplaties et ont leur bords arrondis 
et dentelés en petits festons ; elles sont tres-semblables a celles des cré- 
nidens, on en compte quatorze de chaque cété a la mdchoire supérieure 
et treize aTinférieure. Derriére ces rangées antérieures il y a des 
petites dents grenues sur une bande étroite a chaque mdchoire.” In the 
Van Diemen’s Land fish, the teeth stand in eight or nine crowded 
ranks in the upper jaw, and in five or six in the lower one, those of 
the interior rows being very much smaller in all their dimensions, but 
otherwise shaped exactly like the teeth of the exterior rows, which 
resemble those of punctatus. Their points show three small lobes, 
the middle lobe being largest and most prominent. The species 
further differs from punctatus in having four ceca, but its food ap- 
pears to be similar, the intestines having been found filled with large 
fragments of sea weed, apparently Ulva umbilicalis. 

4 and 5. Two new species of gurnard were then mentioned as the 
first of the genus that have been brought from the Australian coasts, 
though one species (Trigla kumu) is known to inhabit the seas of 
New Zealand. They were stated to agree with that species, with 
several Indian ones, and with Trigla peciloptera of the Mediterra- 
nean, in their large pectoral fins being ornamented with eye-like 
marks similar to those on the wings of some lepidopterous insects. 
One of them, Trigta potyommata, has minute cycloid scales on 
the body, an unarmed lateral line and the dorsal plates confined to 
the first dorsal, there being no dilatation whatever of the interspinous 
bones of the second dorsal. All the spines of the head are stiletto- 
shaped, and one whose base occupies the whole anterior end of the 


Zoological Society. 453 


infraorbitar on each side, projects boldly beyond the snout, and gives 
the fish a very different aspect from any other known gurnard. 

The other may be thus characterized :— 

5. Trieta Vanessa. Tri. squamis aspersis mediocribus ; lined 
laterali aculeaté ; fossé dorsali ad finem usque pinne posterioris 
armatd, orbitd oculi edentatd, pinnd pectorali ampla labeculis 
aculeis binis ornatd, maculd inter aculeum pinne dorsi quintum 
et octavum nigra. 

Radi :-—Br.7—7; P.12—Ill.; V.1,5; D. 8, 12; A.12; C. 138. 

Trigla Vanessa has a spinous infraorbitar tooth, larger than usual 
in gurnards, though not so remarkable as in the preceding species, 
and not occupying the whole end of the bone, there being a smaller 
tooth and some granulations beneath it. The arming of the dorsal 
furrow extends to both fins, and is formed by saddle-shaped dilata- 
tions of the interspinous bones, with a triangular spinous tooth on 
each side of each plate directed backwards. The scales of the body 
are rather large, and are studded on their uncovered portions with 
minute spiny points; those forming the lateral line are tubular both 
transversely and longitudinally, and are armed with several strong 
spines also tubular. There is a black mark on the anterior dorsal. 
The sides of the head are finely granulated without radiations, and 
there are no denticulations on the edge of the orbit either in this or 
the preceding species. 

6. Apistes marmoratus (Cuv. et Val. 4, p. 416). The specimens 
correspond exactly with the description given in the work referred 
to, except that the first suborbitar has only one tooth anteriorly. 
The spine of that bone reaches in one specimen to the preoper- 
culum, but in another it is one-third shorter, being in the latter case 
only just equal to the preopercular spine in length. 

7. Sebastes maculatus (Cuv. et Val.). Two specimens in good 
order, when examined in reference to the account of the species in 
the work referred to, offer no discrepancy, except that the postor- 
bitar spines are somewhat different from those of imperialis, which 
maculatus is said closely to resemble. S. maculatus is an inhabitant 
of the seas of the Cape of Good Hope, and although a range from 
thence to Van Diemen’s Land may appear very great, it is not more 
extensive than that of the northern sebastes which has been taken 
on the coasts of Greenland, in the gulf of St. Lawrence, on the 
coast of Norway, and in the British Channel. 

8. Cheilodactylus carponemus (Cuv. et Val.), known locally as the 
Perch, and described as having, when fresh, a bright silvery hue 
with dark spots. 

_ 9, Nemapactry.Lus concinnus. The fish so designated is stated by 


454. Zoological Society. 


the author to be one of those species whose natural position is 

difficult to ascertain, from their partaking of the characters of se- 

veral different groups. Viewed as the type of a new genus, Nema- 
dactylus may be characterized as having none of the bones of the 
gill-cover armed or sculptured, the operculum itself being destitute 
of projecting points, but as differing from any described sparoid 
form in having simple inferior pectoral rays, one of them projecting 
beyond the rest, as in Cheilodactylus, and in the teeth, which are 
minute and slender, in a single row on the jaws. The palate, vomer, 

tongue, and pharyngeal parietes are toothless. The fins are scale- 

less, the dorsal single, the branchial rays only three in number, the 
scales cycloid, and the pyloric ceca few (three). There is but one 

specimen of Nemadactylus concinnus in the collection, which is three 

inches and a half long, has a compressed elliptical form, and a spar- 

oid aspect. Its lateral line is marked by a series of bright thin 

scales, and beneath it, the integuments are merely silvery with 

wrinkles, as in some scomberoid fishes ; but the specimen has been 

long in spirits with other fish, and it is possible that the scales of 
the flanks may have been detached. If they actually existed, they 

must have been proportionably larger than those on the back, jud- 

ging from the wrinkles of the epidermis. The scales of the back and 

top of the head are small, thin, and delicate, like those of a mackerel. 

Vertebre 34. 

It may be thus characterized :— 


NEMADACTYLUS, N. g. 

Piscis acanthopterygius. Operculum leve, inerme. Pinne esquamose, 
pinna dorsalis unica: radii pinne pectoralis inferiores (sex) sim- 
plices, quorum unus productus. Coste branchiostege pauce (tres). 

Intermazillarum pediculi breves. Dentes gracillimi minuti in ambitu 
oris tantum positi. Fauces palatum et lingua glabri. Squame 

_tenere, leves, infraque lineam lateralem scomberoidee. Ceca 
pylorica pauca (tria). 

N, concinnus, species unica adhuc cognita. 

Radii:—Br. 3—3; P. 9 et 6; V. 1, 5; D. 17, 28; A. 3, 15; 
C. 15¢. 

10. Larris Hecareta is the appellation given by the author to the 
type of another annectant genus, which he considers as taking its 
position most naturally among the Menoidee, but as having many 
characters in common with a percoid group composed of the genera 
Therapon, Datnia, Pelates, Helotes, and Nandus. In Latris the mouth 
is moderately protractile, fhe dentition is similar to that of Mena 
vomerina, there is a scaly groove for the reception of the deeply 
notched dorsal as in Gerres, which genus it further resembles in its 


Zoological Society. A55 


opercular bones, the preoperculum being very finely denticulated, 
and the operculum terminated by a slightly concave line without 
projecting angles. The ventrals are still further back than in Casio, 
and the ceca are few in number. The scales are cycloid, without 
teeth or cilia, and the genus, unlike any previously described mz- 
noid group, has the lower pectoral rays simple like those of aplodac- 
tylus. There are no elongated scales at the base of the ventrals. 
Latris Hecateia is marked by three well-defined dark stripes on each 
side of the back, with a more diffused one inferiorly on the flanks, 
the four pyloric czeca are short and wide, and the only specimen in 


the collection is eleven inches long, which is said to be the ordinary 
size. 


The principal characters of this genus are as follows :— 


LaTRIs, n. g. 

Piscis acanthopterygius, mznoideus. Pinne esquamose: dorsi 
pinna unica, profunde emarginata, in foss4 decumbens: ventrales 
pinne sub abdomine medio posite. Radii pinne pectoralis infe- 
riores (novem) simplices. Preoperculum denticulatum. Os mo- 
dicé protendens. Dentes in oris ambitu tignoque vomeris positi 
villosi, in ossiculis pharyngeis parvi, subulati, conferti. Palatum 
linguaque leves. Sguame lzves. 

L. Hecateia, species unica detecta. 

Radi :—Br. 6—6; P. 9 et 9; V. 1,5; D. 18, 36; A. 3, 27. 

11. Tuyrsirzs attivetis. Thyr. radiis pinne dorsi aculeatis, cor- 
pus altitudine equantibus ; dentibus intermaxille utriusque qua- 
tuordecim, in latere maxille inferioris utroque duodecim. 

Radii:—Br. 7—7; P.14; V.1,6; D. 20—1, lle¢ VIL; A.1,10 
& Vil. ©. 17€, 

A single specimen of this fish in the collection, agrees in most par- 
ticulars with the description of Thyrsites atien in the Histoire des 
Poissons, but the spinous rays of the dorsal fin are considerably higher 
in proportion, and the teeth on the jaws much fewer. 

12. Brennius Tasmanivs is an undescribed species strongly re- 
sembling some of the European ones. 

13. Cxinus pespicrLuatus differs from C. perspicillatus of the His- 
toire des Poissons in possessing a thicker form, a larger head, a pro- 
portionably smaller eye, and in wanting the nuchal marks which 
give the name to that species. The marks on the body are arranged. 
as in perspicillatus, but there are three transverse bands on the pec- 
toral and caudal fins, with many other spots not mentioned in the 
description of the latter. The dorsal rays are 36, 4, and in other 
particulars the two fish seem to be much alike. 

14, Lasrus taticuavius. Lab. smaragdinus, fasciis binis late- 


456 Zoological Society. 


ralibus puniceis purpureo marginatis, posticée in unum coalescen- 
tibus, ingue pinnd productis ; pinna dorsi basi virida, in medic 
laté purpured : superné aurantiacd, purpureo guttatd, inque mar- 
gine extremo ceruled ; pinnd ani basi aurantiacd, dein primu- 
laceo-flava, utringue ceruleo cinctd, exinde purpured caruleo 
guitatd, denique in extremo margine ceruled. 


Radi :—P. 12; V. 1,5; D. 9,11; A. 3, 10; C. 14. 

This is a very handsome species, having a duck-green colour, with 
two lake-red stripes, commencing at the gill-opening and uniting 
opposite the end of the dorsal to form a single broader stripe which 
is continued into,the caudal fin. These stripes are bordered on both 
sides by dotted lines of plum-blue, and there are also five rows of blue 
spots on the sides of the belly, and three rows near the base of the 
anal fin, on a lake-red ground. Several purple lines radiate from all 
sides of the orbit, and some pass over the preoperculum, interoper- 
culum, and lower jaw. The dorsal is dark-purple, with green at the 
base of the rays, and an orange band at the tips, spotted and finally 
edged with blue. The anal has an orange streak along its base, 
then a broad primrose-yellow band edged above and below by a nar- 
row blue line, next a broad band of purple with many very regular 
blue spots, and finally a narrow blue edging. ‘The caudal is purple, 
with many plum-blue spots near its extremity in a vertical band. 
The other fins are apparently colourless. The aspect of the fish is 
that of a Julis, but the operculum and cheeks are scaly. 


15. LeprpoLEprus avustraLis. Lep. sqguamis corporis ordinibus 
plurimis aculeorum arcté incumbentium instructis ; pinnd ani 
plus duplici altitudine pinnam dorsi posteriorem superante. 


Radii:—Br. 6—6; P. 16; V.1, 6; D. 2, 11—89; C.1. 

This is an example of a genus which had not previously been 
detected in the southern hemisphere. It has the general form of 
Lepidoleprus celorhynchus, but there are abundant specific differ- 
ences, especially in the relative size of the fins, and in the arming 
of the scales, which in the Antarctic fish consists of rows of closely- 
incumbent strong spines. The author has compared it with exam- 
ples of celorhynchus from the Mediterranean, and also from Madeira, 
both in the Society’s museum, whose scales are totally different. 
None of these examples have the first dorsal ray serrated, as it is 
stated to be by writers who have described and figured the Green- 
land and Iceland Macrourus rupestris, yet Cuvier states that he has 
ascertained the identity of the latter with the Mediterranean fish. 
The first dorsal ray of L. australis is also smooth. There are sixty- 
seven vertebre, of which fourteen are abdominal. The collection 
contained three specimens. 

A Platycephalus intermediate between fuscus and grandispinis, a 


Geological Society. 457 


-Scorpena, a Cheironectes which is figured in Ross’s Annual for 1835, 
a Dajaus closely resembling its American prototypes, several hand- 
some Balistes and Monacanthi, a Diodon and several Tetrodontes, a 
new form of Torpedo, some fresh-water fishes, and several other sea 
ones, are reserved for a future communication. 


GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 


Nov. 6, 1839.—A paper was read, ‘‘ On the relative ages of the 
tertiary and post-tertiary deposits of the Basin of the Clyde,” 
by James Smith, Esq., of Jordan Hill, F.G.S. 

In former memoirs, Mr. Smith described the indications which he 
had observed of changes in the relative level of sea and land in the 
basin of the Clyde, by which deposits had been laid dry during an 
extremely recent geological epoch *; and the evidences adduced by 
the arctic character of several of the shells, that the climate of Scot- 
land was colder while these beds were accumulating than it is at pre- 
sentt. In this paper he confines his remarks to the results of sub- 
sequent observations, which prove, that in these comparative modern 
deposits there are two distinct formations, differing in climate and 
the character of their fauna, and separated by a wide interval of time. 
In the lower or older of these formations, Mr. Smith has found from 
10 to 15 per cent. of extinct or unknown species, and he accordingly 
places it in Mr. Lyell’s proposed pleistocene system; whilst in the 
upper or newer he has found only one species which exists in the 
present seas, and he accordingly ranges it among the post-tertiary 
formations of that author. Both these deposits, however, are an- 
terior to the recent or human period. 

In the lower or pleistocene formation, Mr Smith includes the 
“till” or unstratified accumulation of clay and boulders, and the 
overlying beds of sand, gravel, and clay containing a mixture of un- 
known species of shells. He is of opinion that the beds presenting 
the same order of superposition in the basins of the Forth and the 
Tay, including the submarine forest of the latter, will be found to 
be of the same age, though nothing at present is known of their 
fossils, except the discovery in the elevated beds of the Tay of the 
Nucula corbuloides by Mr. Lyell; and that the parallel roads of 
Glenroy, recently shown by Mr. Darwin to be of marine origin, may 
be of cotemporaneous formation. Mr. Smith is also convinced, that 
a very great proportion of the superficial beds of sand, gravel, and clay 
are tertiary, although the evidence must sometimes be uncertain, 
owing to the want of organic remains. 


* Proceedings, vol. ii. p. 427. + Ibid, vol. iii. p. 118. See also 
Mr. Smith's paper in the Wernerian Society’s Transactions, vol. viii. 


458 Geological Society. 


During the post-tertiary period, Mr. Smith is of opinion, an ele- 
vating movement to the extent of 40 feet took place, and that at this 
height, the relative level of sea and land remained stationary for a con- 
siderable time, exceeding the present period of repose. The proof 
of this, he states, is a magnificent range of inland sea cliffs, with beds 
of gravel and sand interposed between them and the sea*. At first 
Mr. Smith supposed that the beds of this period contained a small 
proportion of unknown species ; latterly, however, he reduced the 
number to one, the Arca papillosa, which has within a few weeks 
been discovered recent by Capt. Portlock on the coast of Ireland. 

During the existing geological epoch no change of level appears to 
have taken place in the Basin of the Clydet. 

To the paper is appended a list of the shells found in these beds, 
but not known as inhabitants of the British seas, and of which the 
following is a summary :— 


Fossil in the Basin of the Clyde. Fossil in other localities. Recent in the 
Tellina proxima .........00+ sevcvseesessecsnsccscossecs «-. Arctic Seas. 
Crassina multicostata ...... Norway and Sweden. 

Withami ......... Wirk and Bridlington ... Rothsay Bay. 
borealis ........000 Dalmuir ...-+.50. nibs of Arctic Seas. 


Mya truncata, var.? ....... Uddevalla; Canada ... St. Lawrence. 
North Seas; coast of 


Pecten Islandicus eecoeeeeee Coeeeooeeeeeeesseceesesoecseres 

Nucula oblonga. Newfoundland. 
antiqua. 
corbuloides  ...... Dundee ; crag of Norwich. 


Mactra striata. 

Saxicava sulcata. 

Panopea Bivone........+0.. Crag; Sicily .. ......... Yorkshire coast. 
North Seas ; coast of 


Natica clausa ...... ntuese ae Uddevalla ...ccoccccevese 
glaucinoides. Newfoundland. 
fragilis ...secccesseeee Crag. 

Nassa Monensis ......+.00+« Isle of Man. 

Buccinum granulatum ... Crag. 

striatum. 

Trochus inflatus. 

Turbo expansus ......++. see ceccsceesceresecececcevescees Arctic Seas. 

: North Seas; coast of 
Velutina undata .........006 eee sieenseie sihdas tes eeacaees ne 2 eG 
Fusus Peruvianus ....... co. Crag.ccccccsvcccsscoseccesees Arctic Seas, ° 

imbricatus. 
Bulbus Smithii. 


Nov.20.—An extract from a letter addressed to Dr. Andrew Smith 
by A. G. Bain, Esq., dated Graham Town, Cape of Good Hope, Feb. 
2lst, 1839, and communicated by Ch. Darwin, Esq., was first read. 

The object of this extract is to announce the discovery, by Mr. 
Martin Smith, of the piths and portions of the head of an ox in the 
alluvial banks of the Modder, one of the tributaries of the Orange 


* Proceedings, vol. ii. pe 428+ + Lbid., vol. ii, p» 428+ 


Geological Society. 459 


river, and 40 feet below the surface of the ground. The piths with 
the breadth across the os frontis measured 11 feet 7 inches, but it is 
calculated that 5 inches had been broken off the end of each tip; and 
the circumference of the piths at the root was 18 inches. The 
orbits were situated immediately under the base of the horns. Part 
of the upper jaw, containing five molar teeth and other fragments of 
the head, as well as a cervical vertebra, were found at the same time. 

A notice on the Fossil Fishes of the Yorkshire and Lancashire Coal- 
fields, by W. C. Williamson, Esq., wasthen read. 

About four years ago, Mr. Williamson first met with remains of 
fishes in the coal-measures of Lancashire. Nearly at the same time 
Sir Philip Grey Egerton detected them in the Staffordshire fields ; 
Mr. Hutton had previously found them near Newcastle ; Dr. Hibbert 
Ware had brought them before the public in Scotland ; Mr. Bow- 
man had detected scales of Holoptychus in Wales; and two or three 
instances had been noticed of their existence in the coal-fields of 
Yorkshire. Since that period, however, the coal-measures of Lan- 
cashire and Yorkshire have proved to be exceedingly rich in Ich- 
thyolites. In the former, they occur throughout the whole series 
from the Ardwick limestone to the millstone grit; and at Middleton 
colliery, near Leeds, they have also been found in considerable quan- 
tity. At that locality there are three seams of coal, but only two are 
wrought. The following is a general section of the pits :— 


Wie COME Go eee ee 14 inches. 
Interval : . 60 yards. 

Y ert tioel iussis sic d shsainies 3 feet. 
Ma eee eee ene 32 yards 

Mau COR |. a <u Sites mee 45 feet 


Ichthyolites occur in the shale in connexion with all the seams, 
but principally in the uppermost one, to which the colliers have in 
consequence given the name of Fish Coal. They are contained in a 
fine bituminous shale, and in greatest abundance at the junction of 
the roof with the coal, where a very thin seam of coprolitic matter 
occurs. The author has obtained from it the following remains :— 

Teeth of Diplodus gibbosus and Ctenoptychus pectinatus; scales 
jaws, and teeth of Megalichthys Hibbertii, and of another smaller spe- 
cies; rays of Gyracanthus formosus ; scales, fins, and other portions 
of two species of Holoptychus, of a species of Acanthodes, or Chei- 
racanthus? of a species of Platysomus; three kinds of Ichthyodoru- 
lites, and other remains of which he has not yet determined the genera. 

In the shale of the main coal Ichthyolites are much less abun- 
dant, but they are remarkable for their great size. They occur in a 


460 Geological Society. 


coarser shale, and consist chiefly of large teeth and vertebre of a 
species of Holoptychus and rays of Gyracanthus. 

The yard coal shale is still less fruitful than either of the other 
seams, and has yielded only a few small teeth of Holoptychus, Cte- 
noptychus, and some other unimportant fragments. 

On comparing these fossils with the Ichthyolites which he has 
found in Lancashire, the author has ascertained that many are iden- 
tical, but that others differ. The species of Diplodus, Ctenoptychus, 
Megalichthys, Gyracanthus, one of Holoptychus? and Platysomus ? 
exactly correspond in each district. In the Lancashire field he has 
found remains of Ctenoptychus apicalis and C. denticulatus, which he 
has not noticed in the Yorkshire; and’ he is inclined to think, that 
the former field is characterized, if there be a difference, by the 
greater prevalence of Lepidoid fishes, and the latter by those of the 
Sauroid family. 

The Ichthyolites occur chiefly in highly bituminous shales, with 
the exception of the Ardwick limestone, and most abundantly where 
it is finely grained. They are rarely associated with any quantity of 
vegetable remains; and this disposition of the two kingdoms, Mr. 
Williamson is of opinion may assist in determining the conditions 
under which the coal-measures were deposited. The Ichthyolites 
also are in general more common in the roof than the floor of the 
coal; but in the cannel-seams of Wigan in Lancashire, and in the 
thin seams connected with the limestones at Ardwick, they are most 
abundant in the floor. ‘They are rarely found in the coal itself, and 
the instances in which they have been met with in that position by 
the author, have been chiefly in the Middleton colliery. 

The manner in which Ichthyolites are associated with other re- 
mains, Mr. Williamson states, is well worthy of attention. At Bur- 
diehouse they occur in the midst of Unios, Cyprides, and Microconchus 
carbonarius ; at Colebrook Dale, with species of Orbicula, Trochus, 
Nautilus, Orthoceras, and Conularia ; in the lower measures of Lan- 
cashire in beds nearly associated with those containing Goniatites 
Listeri and Pecten papyraceus ; in the higher measures of Lancashire 
and in Yorkshire, with Unionidz and Entomostraca; at Middleton, 
with Lingulz ; at the top of the series in Lancashire and Derbyshire, 
with Mytili. 

TWEEDSIDE PHYSICAL AND ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY. 


The stated quarterly Meeting of the Society was held on Novem- 
ber 18, in the Library room, Kelso. The Duke of Roxburgh pre- 
sided; and the meeting was very numerous and encouraging, great 


Tweedside Physical and Antiquarian Society. 461 


accessions being made to the Museum. Besides those belonging to 
the class of Antiquities, books, and works of art, were numerous 
contributions in the department of Natural History, from Mr. 
Douglas, Mr. Dunlop, Astronomer at Paramata, (through Sir T. M. 
Brisbane, Bart.) from Mr. J. Blacket, Sidney, New South Wales. 

Contributions to the Zoological department, several of them of 
great interest, were received from Dr. F. Douglas, and from Messrs. 
Wilkie, Beckwith, Yule, Smith, Black, Lockie, Stevenson, &c., &c. 
As the true value of the Museum must always lie in its collection 
of objects having a local interest, and as all contributions tending to 
illustrate the Natural History of the district must be deserving of 
especial attention, such are always received with gratitude. 

It was announced to the meeting by Sir Thomas Brisbane, that 
Mr. Fergusson of Kelso had voluntered to keep a complete series of 
Meteorological observations at Kelso, for behoof of the Society, 
provided he were furnished with the necessary instruments; and 
that he (Sir Thomas Brisbane) had mentioned this to the Duke of 
Roxburgh, who had at once declared his willingness to supply these 
instruments to the Society at his own expense. Sir Thomas also 
made known his own intention of presenting an Astronomical Clock, 
to be placed in the new building when completed. 

The Museum, and.all that is connected with it, is now becoming 
an affair highly creditable to the district. ‘The new building is in 
an advanced state, and its accommodation will be ample and appro- 
priate. The friends of the Institution, at home and abroad, are 
daily becoming more numerous ; its list of members is at present 
more full than at any time since its commencement: and it is re- 
ceiving valuable donations from nearly every quarter of the globe. 

The thanks of the Society were voted to the office-bearers for the 
past year; and particularly to Dr. Wilson, the secretary, and to 
Mr. Heckford the conservator of specimens for the Zoological depart- 
ment of the Museum. 


ROYAL PHYSICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH. 

In the notice of Mr. E. Forbes’s communication, p. 355, he is 
represented as maintaining that the cilia of the Beroe are not or- 
gans of motion. We have since learnt that the remarks which he 
made on this subject had a very different purport, namely, that the 
motions of the cilia were not sufficient of themselves to account for 
the movements of the animal, seeing that frequently when the Beroe 
or Cydippe lay still at the bottom of the vessel in which it was placed 
the cilia were in active motion. 


462 Miscellaneous. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


MOVEMENT OF THE STYLE OF GOLDFUSSIA ANISOPHYLLA, 


The following note by M. Morren accompanied the presentation 
to the Royal Academy of Brussels of a Memoir, entitled ‘“ Re- 
searches on the Movement and Anatomy of the Style of Goldfussia 
anisophylia,” referred to above in p. 396. F 

“The object of the memoir which I now present to the Academy 
is to make known the mechanism employed by nature to move the 
pistil of this interesting plant. In his new Physiology (1838), M. 
Treviranus regretted that I had. not explained my ideas relative to 
the movement of the column of the Stylidiez, a movement of which 
I saw the cause in the excitability of the fecule, considered as an 
organized part, as a living organ of the plant, and not as a chemical 
product, as an inert substance. I now fulfill the wish of M. Trevi- 
ranus by this fresh memoir. The movement of the style of the Gold. 
fussia had escaped the investigation of naturalists ; it is notwith- 
standing very remarkable. Most of the flowers in which we see a 
moyeable pistil possess a bilabiate stigma; here the moveable part 
is awl-shaped and rather spindle-shaped. The true stigma occupies 
only the dorsal part of the style, and when it bends back it removes 
as far as possible from the stamina; when it again erects itself, it 
comes in contact with collecting hairs, which from the position of the 
flower, or by the help of insects, receive the pollen. The final cause 
of the phenomenon is very certainly the accomplishment of fecunda- 
tion ; but the mechanical cause is seated in the distension of the 
cylindrenchyme of the stigma; its tissue is formed by long cylinders 
dilatable at one or other of the extremities, and each is filled with a 
liquid containing globules. These globules are excitable. They are 
naturally carried towards the outer extremities of the cylindrenchyme, 
and then these extremities dilating, make the stigma bend; but when 
it is touched the globules and the liquid flow back to the bottom of 
the cylinders, and in this case, this side becoming the longest, the style 
erects or bends itself in a direction the reverse of that which it had 
before. The physiological cause resides therefore in the excitability 
of a vital fluid. I have made several series of experiments to prove 
these assertions, and I have given the anatomy of the parts. I am 
not aware that a similar structure has ever been found in a moveable 
part of plants. 

“The morphology and the metamorphoses of the hairs likewise 
furnished as to this plant some curious observations. I have taken 


Miscellaneous. 463 


in hand to give an account of them.’’—Bulletin de l Acad. Royale de 
Bruxelles, vol. vi. No. 2. 


ECHINOSPERMUM LAPPULA, 


Echinospermum lappula, Lehm.—My friend, the Rev. E. A. Holmes, 
F.L.S., has communicated to me specimens of this most interesting 
addition to the English Flora, which were gathered by him between 
Southwold and Walderswick, on the Suffolk coast, in the month of 
August, 1839. They grew upon the inner slope of a broad gravelly 
bank which divides some marshes from the sea, at about 150 yards 
from high water mark, and had all the appearance of being abori- 
ginal natives of England.—Cuaruzs C. Basineron. 


GUIANA EXPEDITION. 


The collection of Objects of Natural History made by Mr. Schom- 
burgk in the course of his expedition in Guiana from 1835 to 1839, 
together with numerous specimens of the implements, weapons, 
dresses, and other works of art of the natives, with drawings of va- 
rious objects and views of the country, the El Dorado of Sir Walter 
Raleigh, now form a very attractive public Exhibition at No. 209, 
Regent-street. 

A specimen of the remarkable freshwater fish the Pirarucu (Sudis 
Gigas), a full-sized representation of the Victoria Regia, with a geo- 
logical collection illustrating the formation of the district, are among 
the many objects of interest. The exhibition is attended by three 
of the Aborigines from the interior of Guiana, the first who ever vi- 
sited Europe, natives of three Indian tribes, a Macusi, a Warrau, 
and a Paravilhana. 

A Prospectus has also been issued for the publication of twelve 
Views, of the very interesting districts now first explored by Mr. 
Schomburgk ; and as their execution must depend upon a number 
of subscribers sufficient to defray the expense, we ahaa he will not 
fail in obtaining adequate support. 


GREW “‘ ON THE PRINCIPLES OF BODIES.” : 


‘‘The Principles of Bodies, as they must of necessity have their 
dimensions, and therefore their solid figures, so withal they may 
be infinitely small, not only beyond all naked or assisted sense, but 
beyond all arithmetical operation or conception. 

«‘To those who are not used to a rigid mathematick proof, this 


464 Miscellaneous. 


may be illustrated by the smalness of many organized bodies. Ten 
thousand seeds of the plant called Harts-Tongue, hardly make the 
bulk of a peppercorn. Now the covers and the true body of each 
seed, the parenchymous and lignous parts of both, the fibres of those 
parts, the principles of those fibres, and the homogeneous particles or 
atoms of each principle, being moderately multiplied one by another, 
afford a hundred thousand millions of formed atoms in the space of . 
a peppercorn; but how many more we cannot define. 

‘The same is yet more evident from the stupendious smalness of 
some animals, especially in the sperm of smaller insects. Which have 
been observed by Mr. Leuwenhoeck, to be a hundred millions of 
times smaller than a great sand. And what then must be the 
number and smalness of those formed atoms, whereof all the organ- 
ical parts of these animals are composed ?”—Grew’s Cosmologia 
Sacra, 1701, p. 11, ch. vi. 


NOTES ON THE BIRTH OF THE GIRAFFE AT THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY'S 
MENAGERIE. BY PROFESSOR OWEN. 


Connexion took place between the female Giraffe and the lighter- 
coloured male on the 18th March, 1838, and again on the Ist of 
April. | 

The young animal was a male, and was born June 9, 1839, being 
444 days, or fifteen lunar months, three weeks, and three days, since 
the last observed, and, in all probability, the last coitus. 

The new-born animal came into the world, like other Ruminants, 
with the eyes open, and the hoofs disproportionately large. The 
skin was marked as distinctly as in the adult, with large angular 
spots, which were somewhat darker than those of the mother; and 
the hair of the legs was of a deeper fawn colour. It sucked some 
warm cow’s-milk from a bottle with avidity, and once or twice uttered 
a low, gentle grunt or bleat, something between that of a fawn 
and a calf. The young creature made several efforts to stand, raising 
itself on the fore knees; and was able to support itself on its va- 
cillating and outstretched legs, about two hours after its birth. 

‘No one could have seen the young Giraffe,” says Professor 
Owen, ‘‘ without being struck with its large size, compact figure, 
and strength of limb. ‘The condition or purpose of the long gesta- 
tion is, evidently, to bring into the world the young Giraffe of a 
stature and strength suitable to the exigencies of a denizen of the 
desert—the birthplace, likewise, of the Lion and other destructives.” 
The length of the anima], measuring from the muzzle to the root of 


‘ 


Meteorological Observations. 465 


the tail, was six feet ten inches; the girth of the trunk was two 
feet nine inches; from the tuber ischii to the patella was one foot 
four inches; from the patella to the apex of the hind hoof three 
feet; from the olecranon to the carpus was one foot ten inches: 
from the carpus to the end of the fore hoof was one foot eleven 
inches. These segments of the fore leg were thus nine inches 
longer than the corresponding ones of the hind leg; and as this dis- 
proportion does not exist in the adult, it offers another instance of 
the precocious development of the anterior extremities in the mam- 
miferous foetus. 

She would not yield her milk to, or even suffer her offspring to 
come near her. The young Giraffe was nourished by warm cow’s 
milk. It gamboled actively about when one day old, and continued, 
without appearance of illness, till the 28th of June, when it was at- 
tacked by convulsions, and died.—From the Proceedings of the Zoolo- 
gical Society. 


METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR DEC., 1839. 


Chiswick.— Dec. 1—3. Dense fog. 4. Frosty: fine. 5. Slight haze: fine. 
6. Foggy. 7. Dense fog: fine: frosty at night. 8—10. Hazy. 11. Fine: hazy: 
rain. 12. Cloudy and windy. 13. Overcast: heavy rain at night. 14. Fine. 
15. Frosty: hazy: rain. 16. Hazy: fine. 17, Fine. 18. Hazy. 19, Cloudy. 
rain. 20. Rain. 21. Cloudy: rain. 22, Rain: fine. 23. Fine: very mild for 
the period of the season : rain at night. 24. Boisterous with rain. 25. Very fine. 
26. Heavy rain. 27. Rain: hazy. 28. Frosty: fine. 29. Clear and frosty. 
30. Frosty and foggy. 31. Overcast: fine. : 


Boston.—Dec. 1. Fine. 2. Foggy: rainr.m. 3. Cloudy: raina.m. 4. 
Foggy. 5. Cloudy: rainr.m. 6,7. Foggy. 8, 9, 10. Cloudy. 11. Cloudy: 
rain early a.M.: rainr.M. 12. Fine: raine.m. 13. Fine. 14. Cloudy. 165. 
Fine. 16. Foggy. 17. Fine. 18. Stormy: rainrp.m. 19, 20, Cloudy: rain 
early a.M.: raine.M. 21. Fine: rainr.m. 22. Cloudy: rainr.m. 23. Fine: 
rainp.m. 24. Cloudy. 25. Fine. 26. Fine: rainr.m. 27. Foggy. 28, 29. 
Fine. 30. Fine: hail and rain e.m. 31. Cloudy. 


Applegarth Manse, Dumfries-shire-—Dec. 1. Clear and sunny. 2. Calm and 
clear: hard frost. 3. Dull: raw day. 4. Dull, but dry. 5. Frost a.m.: thaw 
r.M. 6. Dull moist day: hoar frost early a.m. 7. Dull and cloudy, but dry : 
hoar frost a.m. 8. Fine day: slight hoar frost. 9. Quiet and cloudy. 10. 
Quiet and cloudy: freezing p.m. 11. Fine day: wind roser.m. 12. Heavy 
rain in the afternoon. 13. Fine morning: rain afternoon. 14. Moderate day : 
slight frost preceding night. 15. Foggy: slight frost preceding night. 16, 
Fine: slight frost early a.m. 17. Raw and cold. 25. Stormy day of wind and 
rain. 26. Clear day: frosty morning. 27. Snow in the evening, and frost all 
day. 28. A little more snow: hard frost r.m. 29. Clear and calm and frosty. 
30. Looking dull a.m. : sleet and rain p.m. 31. Heavy rain all morning : cleared 
up P.M. 

P sun 20 days. Rain 9 days. Snow $days. Frost and hoar frost 13 days. 

Wind easterly 13 days. North-east 4 days. Southerly 4 days. Westerly 2 
days. 

Calm 13 days. Moderate 5 days. Strong breeze 4 days. Brisk 2 days. 


Ann, Nat. Hist. Vol. 4. No. 27. Suppl. Feb. 1840, 2 ut 


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INDEX TO VOL. IV. 


healt 


ACANTHIDIUM, a new genus of fish, 
422. 

figilops and Triticum, notice respecting 
the genera, 214. 

Agaricus, on some new species of, 249. 

Agassiz, L., Histoire Naturelle des Pois- 
sons d’ eau douce de |’Europe Centrale, 
review of, 329. 

Allium Porrum and A. Ampeloprasum, on 
the distinctive characters of, 290. 

Alysia, a new genus of fish, 418. 

Amaryllidez, descriptions of some new 
species of, 28. 

Amber, on a new species of Frog found 
in, 215. 

Animalcules, remarkable diffusion of, 286. 

Annelida, MacLeay’s arrangement of, 
385. 

Annelides, descriptions of the British, 
368. 

Anoplophora, description of the genus, 
280. 


Anser, on a new British species of, 64. 

Antattic expedition, instructions relative 
to the, 33. 

Ant-bear, Greater, remarks on the, 202. 

Antelope, on the habits of the Philan- 
tomba, 207. 

Aphrodita, new species of, 370. 

Apteryx Australis, on the habits of the, 
312. 

at ae description of some species 

- of, 1. 

Arctium Lappa and Bardana, observa- 
tions on, 253. 

Arenicolide, new species of, 373. 

Argonaut shell, inhabitant of, 443. 

Arvicola, on a monograph of, 438. 

Assam, Mr. Griffith’s journey in, 424. 

Astacus fluviatilis, on the moulting pro- 
eess in, 141. 

Astarte incrassata, on the animal of, 297. 

Babington, Charles C., on Arctium Lappa 
and Bardana, 253; on Cuscuta epi- 
linum and halophyta, 280; on the di- 
stinctive characters between Allium 
Porrum and Ampeloprasum, 290. 

Badger, American, on the dentition of 
the, 52. 

Baer, K. E. von, description of animal 
life in Nova Zembla, 145. 


Bark of commerce, on the plants pro- 
ducing the, 179. 

Bartlett, A. D., ona new BritishAnser, 64. 

Bats, on some new Cuban species of, 1. 

Bauer, Ferd., biographical sketch of, 67. 

Bear, discovery of fossil teeth of a, in 
Suffolk, 186. 

Begoniacez, on the discoid piths of the, 
74 


Berkeley, Rev. M. J., on the fructification 
of Lycoperdon, Phallus, &c., 155; de- 
scriptions of Fungi collected in the ex- 
pedition of the Beagle, 291. 

Bertoloni’s Flora Italica, notice of, 337. 

Birds, of Nova Zembla, 153; on the 
distribution of British, 213; notices on 
some, 267; notes on Irish, 284; of 
Guiana, notes on the manners of the, 
318. 

Blackwall, J., descriptions of some new 
British spiders, 68. 

Boston, expedition to, 424. 

Botanical journey across the Pampas of 
Buenos Ayres to Tucuman, account of 
a, 8, 96, 171. 

Botanical Society of Edinburgh, proceed- 
ings of, 355. 

Botanical Society of London, proceedings 
of the, 137, 211, 270. 

Botanical travellers, information respect- 
ing, 194, 262, 322. 

Botany of ‘the Islands of New Zealand, 
22, 106, 256. 

Brignoli, Prof. De, on the excitability of 
Oxalis, 388. 

British Association, proceedings of, 46, 
135. 

Bunge’s Supplement to Flora Altaica, 
notice of, 338. 

Cactez, on the structure of the, 238. 

Callichroma, description of the genus, 
280. 

Cantharellus, on some new species of, 
250. 

Cantor, Dr. T., on the Serpents of India, 
271; on Indian fish producing isinglass, 
399. 

Carasissi, or Savannah Dog, 430. 

Carpenter’s (W. B.) Principles of General 
and Comparative Physiology, review 


of, 111. 
on 2 


468 


Cats of Guiana, on the habits of the, 
322. 

Chalcidites, descriptions of British, 29, 
232. 

Chelura terebrans, description of, 94. 

Chevallier’s Fungorum et Byssorum Illus- 
trationes, notice of, 338. 

Chilonycteris, a new genus of Bats, 4. 

Chimpanzee, account of the habits of the, 
208. 

Clangula Barrovii, occurrence of, in 
Iceland, 140. 

Clematis, descriptions of some new spe- 
cies of, 259. 

Closteriz, on the doubtful nature of the, 
79 


Clyde, basin of, fossils from, 458. 

Coati, brown, of Guiana, 431; brown, 
433. 

Cocks, Bootan, their peculiar crow, 429. 

Celebogyne, description of the new 
genus, 68 

Conchylien in der Sammlung von E. 
Anton, notice respecting, 117. 

Coralline animalcules, remarkable diffu- 
sion of, 286. 

Corda’s (A. C. J.) Pracht-Flora Euro- 
paeischer Schimmelbildungen, noticed, 
200. 

Coregonus clupeoides, identity of, with 
C. Pollan, 70. 

Corynocarpus, on the affinities of, 261. 

Cray-fish, on the moulting process in the, 
141. 

Crotophaga, on the history and habits of, 
160, 318. 

Crustacea, comparison of living, with 
Trilobites, 16; on a new genus of, 94. 

Cryptogames de France, noticed, 46. 

Cryptostoma, note on the affinities of, 
307. 

Crystals, occurrence of, in Plants, 85. 

Cunningham, the late Allan, on the Bo- 
tany of the Islands of New Zealand, 
22, 106, 256; on the habits of the 
Apteryx Australis, 312. 

Cuscuta, remarks on some species of, 
280. ae. 
Deedalea, descriptions of some new species 

of, 292. 

Deccan, on the Fishes of the, 54. 

Desmaziére’s Plantes Cryptogames de 
France, review of, 46. 

Deutschlands Kryptogamische Giftge- 
wichse, noticed, 46. 

Disporum, monograph of the genus, 281. 

Dog, Savannah, of Guiana, 430. 

Don, Prof., on the genus Disporum, 281; 
on the genus Streptopus, 340. 

Drosera, on some new species of, 109.’ 

Dubus, M., on a new species of Meli- 
phaga, 358. 


INDEX. 


Echinorhinus obesus, occurrence of, on 
the British coast, 315. 

Echinospermum lappula, found in Suf- 
folk, 463. 

Eckstrém’s (C. U.) Scandinaviens Fiskar, 
notice of, 117. 

Ehrenberg, Prof., on the remarkable dif- 
fusion of coralline animalcules from 
the use of chalk, 286; on a natural 
flannel, 359. 

Eleocarpee, descriptions of some new 
species of, 23. 

Elatine, on some new species of, 26. 

Elephants, preventive against madness 
in, 70 

Encyrtus, on some new species of, 233. 

Entedon, on some new species of, 235. 

Entomostraca, description of two new 
genera of, 300. 


Epicrisis Systematis Mycologici, reviewed, 
- 44, 


Ericez, ovule in, 357. 

Erpetion, description of the genus, 110. 

Euchlora, monograph of, 342. 

Eulophus, on a new species of, 234. 

Euoplia, description of the genus, 279. 

Euplocamus, on two new species of, 88. 

Excitability, vegetable, 388. 

Eyton, T. C., on the Fauna of Shropshire 
and North Wales, 396. 

Fabre, M., on the genera Aégilops and 
Triticum, 214. 

Falco Eleonoree, 358. 

Fauna Coleopterorum Helvetica, reviewed, 
46 


Faunaof Shropshire and North Wales, 396. 

Feline, notes on the habits of the, 322. 

Fellows, Mr., on the geographical dis- 
tribution of British Birds, 213. 

Fish, Indian, producing isinglass, 399, 
401. 

Fish of Madeira, 405. 


Fishes of the Deccan, descriptions of the, — 


54; characters of several new genera, 
57; Supplement to the History of 


British Fishes, reviewed, 42 ; new, from — 


Van Diemen’s Land, 450; fossil, of 
Yorkshire and Lancashire, 459. 

Flacourtianez, descriptions of some new 
species of, 256. 

Flannel formed of Conferve and Infu- 
soria, 359. 

Flora Italica, notice of, 337; Flora Altaica, 
338. 

Flora, of the Pampas of Buenos Ayres, 
remarks on the, 8, 96, 171 ; Insularuna 
Nove Zelandie, 22, 106, 256; of the 
neighbourhood of Trieste, 307; Flora 
Europaeischer Schimmelbildungen, no- 
ticed, 200; Flora Scanica, reviewed, 
201; Flora Lipsiensis Excursoria, re- 
view of the, 268. 


ee eee ee ee 


ie Sa nai . 


ee 


INDEX. 


Forbes, E., on a Shell-bank in the Irish 
Sea, 217; account of some botanical 
excursions in the neighbourhood of 
Trieste, 307. 

Fossil Annelida, species of, 386. - 

Fossils from the basin of the Clyde, 458. 

Fossil teeth of a Leopard, Bear, &c., dis- 
covery of, in Suffolk, 186. 

Fries’ (B.) Scandinaviens Fiskar, notice 
of, 117. 

Fries’ (E.) Epicrisis Systematis Mycolo- 
gici, review of, 44; Flora Scanica, 

_ noticed, 201. 

Frog, on a new species of, found in Am- 
ber, 215. ' 

Funaria hygrometrica, structure of the 

. setee of, 361. 

Fungi, on the classification of the, 201; 
descriptions of several new species of, 
246; collected during the expedition 
of the Beagle, descriptions of, 291. 

Galeomma, on the animal of, 92. 

Gastrancistrus, on some new species of, 32. 

Géné, M., on a new Falcon, 358. 

Genths and Hiibener’s Lebermoose 
Deutschlands, notice of, 336. 

Geological Society, 457. 

Geology of the Scallop-bank of Ballaugh, 
222. 

Giraffe, birth of, 464. 

Goldfussiaanisophylla, spontaneous move- 
ment in, 462. 

Goodsir, Mr., on the follicular dentition 
in the Ruminants, 135. 

Gray, J.-E., descriptions of some new 
Mammalia, 1; observations on Dr. 
Philippi’s zoological notices, 305. 

Grew, on the principles of bodies, 463. 

Griffith, J. W., Journal of Expedition to 
Bootan, 424. 

Guiana, account of the productions of, 
194; on the habits of the Birds of, 

~ 318; on the Mammalia of, 323. 

Gulliver, Mr., on the blood corpuscles in 
the Mammalia, 283. 

Habenaria, descriptions of some new 
species of, 314. 

Hamster, new species of, 445. 

Harlan, Dr.,on a new species of Meriones, 


Harris’s (Capt. W. C.) Narrative of an 
Expedition into Southern Africa, re- 
view of, 334. : 

Heer’s (O.) Fauna Coleopterorum Hel- 
vetica, noticed, 46. — 

Hemiramphi, notice respecting the, 43. 

Herbert, Rev. W., on some new species 
of Amaryllidez, 28. 

Hersilia apodiformis, description of, 300. 

Hincks, Rev. W., on vegetable monstro- 
sities, 339. 

Hogg, J., on.the tentacular classification 
of Zoophytes, 364. 


469 


Hope, Rev. F. W., descriptions of several] 
new genera of Insects, 279. 

Hope, Rev. F. W., monograph of Euchlora, 
342. 

Hiibener and Genth’s Lebermoose 
Deutschlands, notice of, 336. 

Hugel, Karl von, on a preventive against 
madness in Elephants, 70. 

Hymenomycetum Synopsis, review of, 44. 

Ichthyolites, 460. 

Illyria, on the Flora of, 307. 

Infusoria in salt marshes, 357. 

Insects of Nova Zembla, 149; descriptions 
of several new genera of, 279. 

Toida, description of the new genus, 231. 

Isinglass, fish producing, 399, 401. 

Jardine, Sir W., on the history and habits 
of Crotophaga, 160, 318; History of 
the British Salmonide, reviewed, 333. 

Jasminum, on the discoid pith of, 84. 

Johnston, Dr. G., on the British Nereides, 
224; History of British Sponges and 
Corallines, notice of, 200; on the 
British Annelides, 368. 

Joli, M., on the colour of salt marshes, 
357. 

Jones, Prof. Rymer, on the moulting pro- 
cess in the Cray-fish, 142. 

Juglandez, on the discoid piths of the,|74. 

Juglans regia, on the peculiar odour of, 
83. : 

Karst, Geology of the, 309. 

Klug, Prof., on the place of Scarabzus 
longimanus in the system, 69. 

Lankester, Dr. E., on the sete of Funaria 
hygrometrica, 361. 

Lark, Chinese, 447. 

Latris, a new genus of fish, 455. 

Laurus Cassia, observations on, 179. 

Leaves, on the formation of, 137. 

Lebermoose Deutschlands, noticed, 336. 

Lee, E., on the indigenous species of 
Tilia, 212, 270. 

Leopard, discovery of fossil teeth of a, in 
Suffolk, 186. : 
Lhotsky, Dr. J., biographical sketch of 

Ferdinand Bauer, 67. 

Lime trees, remarks on the indigenous 
species of, 212. 

Lindley, Prof., on four new species of 
Cape Orchidacez, 314 ; on twenty new 
species of American Orchidacee, 381. 

Linnea for 1839, analysis of the, 45. 

Linnean Society, proceedings of the, 66, 
279, 339. 

Linneus, notice respecting the death of 
the daughter of, 67. 

Liparis, description of a new species of, 
314. 

Lowe, Rev. R. T., on the fishes of 
Madeira, 405. 

Lumbricide, new species of, 371. 

Lycoperdon, on the fructification of, 155. 


470 


Lyell, Chas., on the discovery of fossil 
teeth of a Leopard, Bear, &c., in 
Suffolk, 186; on the occurrence of 
fossil Quadrumanous, Marsupial, and 
other Mammalia in the London clay, 
189. 

MacLean, J., description of the route 
from Lima by the Quebrada of San 
Mateo, 105. 

MacLeay, W. S., on the habits of some 
Cuban Mammalia, 1; on the structure 
and affinities of Trilobites, 16; mono- 
graph of his genus Euchlora, 342 ; on 
the Annelida, 385. 

Macroscelides Rozeti, on the habits of, 


Madeira, fishes of, 405. 

Mammalia, descriptions of some new spe- 
cies of, 1; of Nova Zembla, 151; dis- 
covery of fossil, in Suffolk, 189; de- 
scriptions of fossil, 191; observations 
on the blood corpuscles in, 283. 

Marsupialia, classification of the, 118. 

Marten, on the singular habits of a, 
139. 

McClelland, J., on Polynemus sele, 401. 

Meeson, Dr. A., on the formation of leaves, 
137. 

Meliphaga cincta, 358. 

Meriones, on a new species of, 63. 

Meteorological observations, 71, 143,215, 
287, 359, 465. 

Micromammalogie, Etudes de, review of, 
434, 

Miscogaster, on some new species of, 31. 

Molossus, observations on the genus, 6. 

Monkey, description of a new species of, 
208. 

Mormoops, observations on the genus, 3. 

Morren, Prof. Ch., on the discoid piths of 
plants, 73. 

Morren, Prof., on movement in the leaves 
of Oxalis, 388 ; in the leaves of Gold- 
fussia, 462; on spontaneous movement 
in Goldfussia anisophylla, 462. 

Movement, spontaneous, in the leaves of 
Oxalis, 388 ; vegetable, 462. 

Mus, European species of, 438. 


Muscology of Cirencester, notice of the, | 


211. 

Mustela Martes, notice respecting, 139. 

Mycology of the neighbourhood of Bris- 
tol, 246. 

Myrmecophaga jubata, remarks on the, 
202 


Natural History of the British Salmonide, 
reviewed, 333. 

Nautilus, Paper, Prof. Owen on, 443. 

Nemadactylus, a new genus of fish, 454. 

Nereides, descriptions of the British, 224. 

Nova Zembla, description of animal life 
in, 145 


INDEX. 


Nyctinomus, observations on the genus, 6. 

Oculina ramea, on the animal of, 93. 

Ogilby, Mr., description of a new species 
of Monkey, 208. 

Oplophora, description of the genus, 279. 

Opossums, on the dentition of the, 47. 

Orchidacez, characters of four new Cape, 
314; of twenty new American, 381; of 
Essex, remarks on the, 270. 

ae on the animal nature of the, 

Owen, Prof. R., on the classification of 
the Marsupialia, 118; on the mamma- 
lian remains found in Suffolk, 191; on 
Argonauta Argo, 443; on the birth of 
the Giraffe, 464. 

Oxalis, excitability in the species of, 388. 

Pancratium, description of two new spe- 
cies of, 28. 

Pandorina, description of the genus, 294; 
Mr. Gray’s remarks on, 305. 

Papio Melanotus, description of, 210. 

Peloria, notice respecting, 286. 

Peltidium purpureum, description of, 303. 

Perdix Coturnix, on the habits of, 284. 

eden: description of a new species of, 


Petermann’s Flora Lipsiensis Excursoria, 
reviewed, 268. 

Phallus, on the fructification of, 155. 

Philippi, Dr. A., zoological notices by, 
88, 294; Mr. Gray’s remarks on, 305. 

Pheebus’ Deutschlands Kryptogamische 
Giftgewichse, reviewed, 46. 

Phyllodoce, description of the British 
species of, 224. 

Physiology, Principles of General and 
Comparative, review of the, 111. 

eS tae on the discoid piths of the, 


Pileopsis Garnoti, on the animal of, 90; 
on the affinities of, 305. 

Pittosporez, on some new species of, 106. 

Plagianthus, on some new species of, 24. 

Planches Coloriées d’Oiseaux, reviewed, 
266. 

Plantes Cryptogames de France, noticed, 
46 


Plants, on the discoid piths of, 73 ; of the 
Pampas of Buenos Ayres, 171; cha- 
racters of several new species of, 269. 


_ Pleurotoma Bertrandi, on the animal of, 


299. 
Poissons d’eau douce d’Europe Centrale, 
review of the, 329. 
Polynemus, Mr. McClelland on the ge- 
nus, 401. 
Polyparies, arrangement of, 365. 
Proctor, W., on the occurrence of Clan- 
gula Barrovii in Iceland, 140. 
Prosartes Menziesii, a new species, 341. 
Psamathe, description of the genus, 229. 


INDEX, 


Pteromalus, descriptions of some new 
species of, 232. 

Puma, description of two species of, 325. 

Racoon, 433. 

Rodentia, 435, 448. 

Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh, pro- 
ceedings of, 355. 

Royal Society of Edinburgh, proceedings 
of, 352. 

Ruminants, on the follicular dentition in 
the, 135. 

Salmon, on the growth of, 352. 

Salmon, Growth of, in Freshwater, re- 
viewed, 334. 

er reviews of various works on, 

29. 

Salt marshes, colour of, 357. 

Sayers, Lieut., on the habits of the Chim- 
panzee, 208. 

Scandinaviens Fiskar, noticed, 117. 

Scarabeeus longimanus, on its place in the 
system, 69. 

Schleiden, Dr., on the anatomico-physio- 
gical differences in the organization of 
stems, 236; on the ovule in Ericez, 
357. 

Schomburgk, R., narrative of an expe- 
dition into Guiana, 194, 262, 318; on 
the birds of Guiana, 318 ; remarks on 
the Greater Ant-bear, 202; expedition 
in Guiana, 430. 

Seals, notice respecting British, 116. 

Selys-Longchamps, M. de, notice of his 
Micromammalogie, 434. 

Serpentium Indicorum Spicilegium, 271. 

Shark, spiny, occurrence of the, on the 
British coast, 315. 

Shaw, Mr., on the growth of Salmon, 352. 

Shells, on the occurrence of some rare 
species of, in the Irish Sea, 217. 

Shropshire, on the Fauna of, 396. 

Shuckard’s British Coleoptera, notice of, 
339. 

Siemuszova-Pietruski, M., on a tame 
Pine Marten, 139. 

Smith, J., on a plant which produces per- 
fect seed without any apparent action 
of the pollen on the stigma, 68. 

Soricide, arrangement of, 436. 

Spiders, descriptions of some new British, 
68. 


Spiral fibres of Funaria hygrometrica, 362. 

Sponges and Corallines, History of the 
British, noticed, 200. 

Sporidesmium, on some new species of, 
292. 

Stark, R. M., on the muscology of Ciren- 
cester, 211. 

Stems, observations on the organization 
of, 236. 

Stephens, H. O., on the mycology of the 
neighbourhood of Bristol, 246. 


471 


Sterculiaceze, descriptions of some new 
species of, 24. 


Stilbum, on a new species of, 291. 


Streptopus, monograph of, 340. 

Strickland, A., observations on the Spiny 
Shark, 315. 

Sykes, Col., on the fishes of the Deccan, 
54. 


Temminck, C. J., Planches Coloriées 
d’Oiseaux, reviewed, 266 ; on two spe- 
cies of Monkey, 341. 

Thompson, W., on the identity of the 
Shannon with the Lough Neagh Core- 
gonus, 70; notes on Irish birds, 284; 
on the Bottle-nosed Whale, 375. 

Thysanus, description of the genus, 234. 

Tilia, on the indigenous species of, 270. 

Tissues wrought by insects, 356. 

Travellers, botanical, 424. 

a a new genus of the Annelides, 
373. 

Trilobites, on the structure and affinities 
of, 16 

Tringa subarquata, notice respecting the 
occurrence of, 284. 

Tripladenia, description of the genus, 
282. 

Trophonia, new species of, 371. 

Tweedie, J., account of a journey across 
the Pampas of Buenos Ayres, 8, 96, 171. 

Tweedside Physical Society, 461. 

Unger, Dr., on the animal nature of the 
Oscillatoria, 214. 

Van Diemen’s Land, fish from, 450. 

Vermetus Gigas, on the eggs of, 299. 

Wagner, Dr. M., on the habits of Macro- 
scelides Rozeti, 26. 

Wales, North, on the Fauna of, 396. 

Walker, F., descriptions of the British 
Chalcidites, 29, 232. 

Wallis, A., on the Orchidacee of Essex, 
270. 

Waterhouse, G. R., on the dentition of 
the Flying Opossums, 47; on the den- 
tition of the American Badger, 52; on 
a new Hamster, 445; on the Chinese 
Lark, 447 ; on the skulls of Rodentia, 
448. 

Wernerian Society, Memoirs of the, no- 
tice of, 116 ; prize questions announced 
by the, 138. 

Westendorp, Dr., reclamation of, 283. 

Whale, Bottle-nosed, 375. 

White, A., on Peloria, 286. 

Wight, Dr. R., on Laurus Cassia, and the 
plants producing the bark of commerce, 
179 


Williams, Lieut., on a remarkable wasp’s 
nest, 62. 

Wright’s (W. von.) Scandinaviens Fiskar, 
notice of, 117. 

Yarrell’s (W.) History of British Fishes, 


472 INDEX. 


reviewed, 42; Growth of Salmon in | Zoophytes, on the occurrence of some 
Freshwater, review of, 334. rare, in the Irish Sea, 222. 

Zoological Society, proceedings of, 47, | Zoophytes, tentacula of, 365. 
118, 202, 271, 341, 442. 


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SUPPLEMENTARY NUMBER. 


CONTENTS. 
se . Page. 
LU. Information respecting Botanical Travellers :—Mr. Schom- 
burgk’s Narrative of his recent Expedition in Guiana ............ 433 


BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


Etudes de Micromammalogie. Revue des Musaraignes, des Rats et — 
des Campagnols, suivie d’un Index méthodique des Mammiféres. 
d’Europe. Par Edm. De Selys-Longchamps...... rimen is He's 434 


PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. 

Zoological. Society :—On a new species of Corythaix, by Mr. Fraser ; 
on the Natural History of the Argonaut, by Prof. Owen; on a new 
species of Hamster, (Cricetus auratus), by Mr. Waterhouse ; . 
on a female specimen of the Hamster (Cricetus vulgaris), by Dr. 
Weissenborn ; on a species of Lark from China, by Mr. Water- 
house; observations upon a series of skulls of Rodents, by Mr. 
Waterhouse; Mr. Bucknell’s Eccaleobion ; on a species of the 
African Cat, by Mr. Ogilby; descriptions and anatomical notices 
of Mr. Lempriere’s collection of Fish formed at Port Arthur in | 
Van Diemen’s Land, by Dr. Richardson ..........0¢0- 442-457 

Geological Society :—On the relative ages of the tertiary and post- , 
tertiary deposits of the Basin of the Clyde, by Mr. J. Smith ; 
on the fossil fishes of the Yorkshire and Lancashire Coal-fields, 


Map DATs WAIN NOR 5 cee) 2 has os ca ks Seen ee ns .. 457—460 
-Tweedside Physical and Antiquarian ae shal im okia usa Taleinieee, 6 aig. 977 aE 
Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh.................. BFS Ree 3b. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 
Movediabit of the Style of Goldfussia anisophylla .. BARE peer e CY 
Lichindsper my appultee i. 5 cs ia eg wesc Fes 8 ger eee vinla's Uaee + Ve 
Guiane Expedition ss se. Cie ies ees hs Sea a pene pr eretes Race cri 1b. 
Grew “on the Prineiples:of Bodies’ oh a ie aa id. 
Notes on the Birth of the Giraffe at the Zoological Society’s Mena- 

gerie, by Professor Owen........... Be ae porvbine ss anes 464 
‘Meteorological Observations and Table ............ veesee 465, 466 


4 AND FIVE PLATES. 
To illustrate various Articles in the Fourth Volume. 


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